I'm not sure who told you that " things have improved".
It's policy of the company not to hire people who once left the company for pasture green and want to return. (None of the ex-DHL Silverjet pilots were taken back)
I guess it's the same for people who applied and decided not to accept the job offer.
Since 2008 T&C's went down the hill, so again who told you or what made you think "things improved"?