starskate - I would characterise the hiring situation as 'steady'.
VB and J* are interveiwing and hiring FOs. Skywest soon to be looking for crew for A320 / F100 (or are looking now). Alliance (F100 charter operator) expanding with several more aircraft. Tiger (A320) employing in dribs and and drabs I believe. QF nothing and hasn't been for a while (but only hire as SO anyway - good money but a long while out of a window seat). REX hiring and a Cadet scheme of dubious value underway.Qlink Dash8 a few recently but may pick up when crew leave for jets. Not sure about Cobham (Dash8 Surveillance Australia contract and Qlink 717 operation). V Australia get a 5th jet later this year so a few there probably.