Originally Posted by
SkyHigh
I don't know where you are getting your information. Those numbers most likely are in regards to the entire world. Even so it only takes six months to create an airline pilot out of a ski instructor.
In the last month there have been a few articles referenced on this forum that indicate the opposite of your assumptions. A large percentage of furloughed major airline pilots have chosen employment outside of aviation since there are not any real options a pilot can get flying that can replace the pay and benefits at a major.
Some day there might be a shortage of people willing to do the job of airline pilot for the pay and benefits offered but does that really mean that there is an opportunity that is going to be worth having? Currently there is a shortage of migrant farm workers but the pay is still low and conditions poor.
SkyHigh
http://www.fltops.com/article.asp?ID=4570
I can post more articles if you like.
My father is retired American former Braniff. My mother retired FA and most all of our family friends are former or current airline pilots. My sources are from the current industry and may credited online reports. I don't want to argue with you, the bottom line is, even if you just count the regionals alone there will be more than 5000 pilots hired in 07. SKW is on pace to top 700 themselves.
Most all majors are now hiring. (SWA, AirTran, Delta, UPS, FedEx, Alaska, United, etc)