Originally Posted by
gloopy
I disagree. If DL could hire "off the street" Captains for 20% less than the current pay, they would have tens of thousands of qualified apps on file as fast as their servers could upload them. They don't not because there is no supply but because they are prevented by contract from doing it. A contract they know would go to court and get a ruling they would lose and lose hard.
I do share your optimism about the hopefuly upcoming regional supply squeeze.
Don't forget about the artificial supply control via the FAA's changing minima to fly Delta customers. We are one of the few "professions" that do not have any control over, or high enough, barriers to entry. Unless changed, nothing else will change. Minima will be raised and lowered as required to keep supply ample. Therefore, a pure supply and demand argument is invalid.