There isn't really a shortage. As a former A&P now turned pilot I still know many maint guys furloughed from major airlines and GA. It's no secret that the ones that are employed are working their tails off because every operation is running so lean. Lower stock on parts, longer hours for same pay, lots of TDY's, etc. The delays we take for maint problems is factored into their bottom line. It's cheaper to be late than pay for another full time employee. I left when we started flying our airplane overseas to get our heavy checks done. They saved a million dollars a plane but came back more messed up than when they left. I still tool for friends on the side but I won't go back and do it for a living even if I lose my medical.