Originally Posted by chrisreedrules

I think the real problem they are going to have is getting pilots to the ATP mins. As I stated in a previous post, all the jobs that low-timers would normally work at to build time just aren't hiring low-timers anymore. And most flight schools either aren't busy or already have a stack of well-qualified CFI applicants sitting on the chief's desk. I think the "shortage", at least at the regional level, will be much worse than many are anticipating. Its hard to sell a "zero to hero" program to a kid with SJS when you explain to them that they are going to spend minimum 1 year instructing just to hopefully meet ATP mins. Not the 400 to 700 as was previously being accepted by a lot of regionals. And then when you have instructed for that long and gotten a "feel" for the industry, why would you want to take a pay-cut and go slug it out at the regionals with a worse QOL? Most of the qualified instructors I know now (admittedly a few) are steering well-clear of regionals and looking for the elusive 91 corporate gigs or 135 citation jobs. I think the regionals are in more trouble than they think.