In relation to CANINE'S post, when Impulse made it known that pilots would be made redundant due to the cessation of 1900 services, they were offered "preference" to QF Mainline interviews, much like Southern I assume.
Out of the 20 or so who went through the process, 1 guy was hired (but he had a 717 slot, which he turned down for a Cathay 400 slot, which he turned down again for Qantas - and on two day's notice), 1 guy has been asked to come back in 6 months, and every other pilot has been rather unceremoniously told to "never re-apply". Even those whose attempt at the process this time was their first one.
Also, out of the 20, only 4 got past the psych and skills test.
Now I'm prepared to admit that in my case, I may have just made a meal of it (I doubt it, mind you), but I can't see how 19 guys who already worked for a Qantas subsidiary could be so bad that they couldn't even try once more a year or two down the track.
Smells like politics to me.
I genuinely hope some of the Southern guys are able to get mainline slots, but I wouldn't put money on it.