Thats it? Seems a bit light considering its competitors.

Which competitors? As in ASA is competing for new hires on merits of how many each airline plans to hire in the near future?

I would say 36 seems quite light, but what do I know?

Eagle is hiring 600 this year. Or, trying to.

So ASA is hiring 36 and Eagle is hiring 600. If you were new to the 121 world and you had both opportunities, which would you choose?

If I was new I'd probably choose Eagle. Knowing what I know 19 years in, I'd choose whichever one has a very large and stable base where I want to live (ie ATL, DFW or ORD).

Keep in mind: ASA & XJet will soon be the same (Q3 '11). So, to make a fair comparison (mid to long term), ASA is hiring roughly 300

True, but will someone who gets picked up on the ASA side likely sit on reserve for a while? ASA/Xjet is mostly hiring for the Xjet routes...

So... Anyone else want to chime in? ASA/Expressjet or American Eagle?

im in the first week at xjt... the word around the schoolhouse is that they are offering 200% pay for picking up trips.. sooooo understaffed. Lots of hiring to come on that side... the place seems to be geared up and working like a swiss clock. Its a very well run ship from what Ive seen... and they keep saying they need pilots badly; like yesterday. hiring will continue on the xjt side for a while. They are saying if it keeps going like this not to expect being on reserve for too long.

That would be fantastic. I just got hired for the ASA side of the house, and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't think I will get off of reserve as quickly as you though..