Its funny you say that...today i was at the Etihad training center and saw the new groups who joined this month a total of 40 new pilots just in Jan and according to the guys they are 60 more in the next 60 days...so they seem to be getting pilots...Am sure with all the hiring they must be getting short of appications and thats why the reduced the requirement but time will tell i am sure. Anyway things have changed in EY but i just like the life style, so do the job and enjoy the rest......