I commute all the time on major airlines' airplanes and have lots of contact. I once jokingly asked what it takes to get hired at that particular company and the 26 y/o F/O looks over his shoulder and without irony or blinking said to me, "Oh, your dad has to work here". And went back to looking at something else. I don't think he was joking because there's no way he had more than a couple years, tops, at a regional given what he was flying and when this happened and how young he was.

Anyway, I also carry guys from United, Delta, AA, US Airways, SWA, FedEx, UPS, etc. on my jumpseat. I've been asking for tips for years. All have been helpful and friendly but in the end it's a real crapshoot and even though hiring has happened in short bursts in the past 7 years I've been in the US flying (my previous life had me flying in Europe) there has not been consistent movement in large numbers at most US majors since 9/11 - except backwards, sadly.

I do believe that this will change in the next 12-24 months though.

But as noted, airplanes need fuel and those prices might become very volatile very soon given the instability of many Middle Eastern regimes where the oil is sourced.

We shall see.....