Can't absolutely confirm it, but that number sounds spot on. I have never known anything like it! As far as 'going sooner' is concerned, I believe it is more to do with the consequences for bacon of losing a third of it's pilots, rather than the ability of any other employer to take them early! Bacon HAS to make everyone fulfill their contractual obligations or the flying program would collapse overnight! In fact, it already is!
I haven't spoken to a single pilot who is happily committed to their future in either flybe, or BACF. There will be further large numbers of pilots leaving all three companies in the coming weeks, and months.
Whatever flybe get out of this deal, I can confidently predict, it won't be many pilots!