What commands are they taking SKYCAMEL? Skywest has run two adds in the Australian for Training and Check pilots on the ATR so they are looking at employing outside pilots into these positions. Not many of the current Skywest F50 and F100 pilots want to move over to the east coast to take up these roles. So what's wrong with Virgin pilots applying for the same positions via the EOI.
My guess is most of the EOI's would have come from Ejet FO's who were told when they joined the company they would have commands on the Ejet sooner rather than latter and their experience has regional turboprop pilots (many held training and checking roles on turboprops) was needed on the Ejet. So why shouldn't they apply for the ATR?
Regarding the 2 DEC's on the Ejet, did Virgin advertise they needed 2 Captains based in Brisbane, no they didn't. The add was for Ejet pilots (not captains). And at the time the 2 DEC's were employed there were 10 Captains in Sydney who had bids in for a transfer to Brisbane and don't forget 80% of the Ejet FO's had bids in for commands.