Originally Posted by Bellanca

I think that is the main problem. A much higher ratio of students today are career students versus hobby-pilot students. More of today's student's are going on to get their commercial/CFI and joining the ranks of pilots looking for employment.

When the 1500 hour/ATP rule hits it will be very hard to build time, at least as hard has it has been during the recession and possibly worse. Unless the prices of fuel, insurance, aircraft rental, etc magically drop dramatically.