duir
No, you haven't got it wrong - we are under crewed, I totally agree.
The management, however, still believe that we are over-crewed and at the moment while we all work max hours every month with minimum days off the schedule is still being met. How many flights have been cancelled because of crew shortage? None yet that I am aware of, so therefore as far as the company are concerned, there are enough pilots - it doesn't matter that crewing are buying days off - it's cheaper than employing people!
My original point was aimed at those in the hold pool who are desperate to join the company - and that is that recruitment might not happen as quickly as the rest of us might like - even if several chaps do go off to Qatar!