They have never stopped recruiting ex-pats, but the need is more urgent now with approx 120 pilots going back to the military by order of the President. There will be approx 220 Turkish pilots spread across the carriers returning to military service in 3 waves over the next 12 months . The lira is all time low and the rosters on the 737 are hard, the 777 is more favourable according to some recent joiners whom jumped ship from THY.