This is an embattled company. Truly very sad because many have had great times there working for what was once a great company, and a lovely place to live.
The exodus of pilots that has caused the present shortage is, I am told, a result of the managers that do what is referred to in the first post, plus an ongoing wage negotiation that has been unresolved for more than 14 months. A matter so important to the company that the first meeting between unions and the new MD was cancelled for whatever reason.
Apparently the ability to recruit pilots has become so difficult that entry standards that were once applied have had to be lowered in order to get a few new recruits. Low crew numbers have led to high monthly hours being flown, flight and duty manipulations, and there are insufficient crew to cover flights with standbys.
These pilots certainly appear to need outside support.