A family friend who is a 63-year-old woman who hasn't flown in about 30 years recently received a phone call from someone who claimed to be a Skywest recruiter. She doesn't have a current medical, so we are trying to figure out how and why she received this call. Was this a recruiter hired by Skywest to create an applicant pool? It just seems odd considering the current state of the industry. I know some regionals have been hiring recently, but I can't imagine they are that hurting for pilots that they are reaching out to folks like this.
Thoughts?

Sounds like a scam.

That's interesting. Can anyone else chime in on if they also got a message? I receive an email AND a text message. Both same format for (yes/no) questions on obtaining a Class I, interest in training, etc. Hope this wasn't a scam.

One of my good friends is a SkyWest Cadet, with close to 2000 hours now and hasn’t even so much as received even a computer generated auto-email since pre-Covid.

That would be highly insulting, IMO, if they were cold calling potential recruits before even reaching out to the people already in the pool.

No doubt in my mind It's a scam.
If she responded they will "arrange all the necessary training, medical checkups, and other paperwork needed" for a "Small Fee using gift cards" or better yet, direct debit from her checking account, or in 3 easy installments on her credit card.

Agreed. Or being asked to confirm some personal information type details.

The text message/e-mail that went out on the first was not a scam. I talked to someone in FO management because I had a friend ask me about it who received it. Seems like they are trying to figure out which of the CJOs out there are still interested in coming to fly at OO.

She should update her medical and fly for the last few years

That is good to hear then! I only received one notification by email and text same day so was hoping it wasn’t a scam.