I don't see how anyone could call our current situation a pilot "shortage". After nearly six years of furloughs, layoffs and frozen hiring it will take a decade just to get back to where we should be.

If the age 65 rule becomes reality then any talk of a pilot "shortage" will disappear and the hiring drought will continue for another 3 to 5 years.

If there is a surge in hiring it will be merely to replace those who have chosen not to come back.

In my estimation there are at least 30,000 able and qualified professional grade pilots who are sitting on the sidelines. The only shortage is of those willing to go through the harassment and depravity it takes to get there.

SkyHigh