The past 12-18 months has seen what can only be described as an exodus from the 717. Pilots are flocking to mainline, Virgin, Jetstar and numerous overseas operators. The feedback has been very positive from all, even at low cost operations where the pay and conditions are more favourable.
The word on the street says most operators can't get pilots to attend interviews, let alone accept an offer. I personally know of some pilots who attend multiple interviews with various airlines as "practice" for the one they want!
Whether airlines like it or not, pilots are starting to pick and choose the best fit for them based on the very thing the IR boffins are using to denigrate the profession. No longer do we have to go cap in hand to an interview hoping we're good enough. Contract companies with the lowest pay and conditions are the first to suffer.