That doesn't pass my math test. Passengers are willing to pay money to fly, airlines want that money. If the problem becomes a lack of pilots to fly a growing number of passengers, how will "contracting that work out" help, unless they contract with bus companies? Contracting it out to smaller outfits would mean more pilots not less, for the smaller planes. A more logical scenario would have the same pilots flying larger airplanes, or fewer passengers flying on more expensive small planes. The first scenario earns more money for the airlines, follow the money.