TC!
Yes I think this is a negative thing. I think their recruitment process is quite silly as it is.
I know a bunch of great people who were refused during different stages of the process which fly for other "majors" around Scandinavia/Europe.
The whole process is disrespectful. And the episode with Linjeflyg proves my point.
At last, I don't think the guys at the top in SAS would cut back on their flights instead of changing(*) their rec process. There's no way that SAS can afford that.
*) When I say change I meen change and not lowering their limits!