I had a call from etihad this morning after getting a PFO recenty ( I stucK in a cv before I knew what they paid....).
now they are loking for non-rated guys at the right price. and many will take them up becasue it will get them a shot at a widebody command etc. - despite the very poor pay.
so you have the wannabees who will take whatever is offered to get on the first rung of the ladder. and you also have the experienced Pilots who will do much the same (proportionally in light of experience) to take the next step up to something bigger.
the T & C of most airlines have come down. if times get tough all they have to do is loosen the belt a little and give some of it back -- the unions and most pilots will think a significant corner has been turned. - rubbish.
there is no pilot shortage, there are just more jobs available. still loads of airlines with pleanty of SFO's looking for a command and EVERY airline I know has a knee deep pile of CV's of guys trying to get in.
I wish it was otherwise but it's just wishful thinking.
edditted for pur spellingg