Ya, I'm really surprised AS hasn't set up a training program where they cover the cost of training if a pilot signs and flys with them for 5 years or something. I'm surprised they haven't partnered with some large school to provide the planes and help cut costs and overhead on that so the bills are already lower to start with. If you have a crushing debt training issue you step in there and fix the problem as much as regulations will allow AND you court your pilots from the get go.
You might still need some pay pay raises but probably much less then out right trying to hire them in droves away from other airlines.