globalexpress

The US created 8500 new commercial pilot certificates in 2011 and could easily create more. Let's see 8500 new commercial pilots per year x 20 years and you get a very big number....... Bigger than the number quoted in the video as far as US demand goes. Worldwide, certainly there could be a problem. In the US, we'll see.

And has been stated repeatedly, if the US regionals have any difficulty filling their cockpits it is entirely their own fault. Years of beating their pilots about the head and shoulders for sport have come home to them. Cry me a river. Further, this "pilot shortage but this time it's real" mantra has been resurrected and repeated quite often over the past few years now by dorks like Swelbar and Cohen over at the RAA. What have industry leaders done to ensure an ample supply of pilots in case this shortage manifests itself after pilots start retiring again? Wait for it...... nothing. No plans for the way they train future pilots, no creative ideas to try to lure more young people into the profession, and absolutely nothing to make the career more attractive financially.

Remember back around 2007-2008 when there was that big nursing shortage? What did the health care industry do to attract new people into nursing? There was an advertising campaign, there were financial incentives, there were flexible schedules, there were paid moves, there were signing bonuses, and they RAISED pay. What are the regionals doing? Dragging out contract negotiations for years (Republic). Asking their pilots for concessions (Eagle). Starting alter-ego operations in order to get around their pilot contracts (GoJets). Yeah, regional airline management, I can't IMAGINE why no one wants to be an airline pilot anymore. Morons.

And even if these "can't see two inches beyond the tip of their noses" airline consultants and airline managers see the light, they might have screwed themselves. It takes TIME to make a quality entry level pilot. If you want qualified pilots TOMORROW you have to start putting a plan in place TODAY. Do you hear that Roger Cohen? Spend less time on your hair and spray tan and more time on coming up with a plan to fix this supposed problem. As you can tell, I am not his biggest fan.