Due to the redundancies in the group, the positions are being offered within the group first. In the first instance as crew you are employed as a "pilot" whether that be skipper or paper biatch. When there are redundancies any newly created positions have to be offered to those that have lost theirs within the group hence the trawl for crew from mainline and baby. Some might be interested because taking a bus job in the east doesn't suit their family committments - plus it keeps them in the "group" !!! Sounds pretty reasonable. sorry if you've been swimming a while.