That can change with the stroke of a pen. I've been predicting it since the 1500 rule became law.

The airlines are intentionally putting themselves into a dire situation regarding pilot supply in order to force congress' hand into allowing a EU-style frozen ATP. Such a program could put someone with no time in the right seat of an airliner in 12-18 months.

Some form of it will be coming along, most likely within the next five years. The only saving grace is that such programs are very expensive, and the airlines are going to have to do something to give potential pilots an incentive to lay out that much cash and make loans for such training look even reasonably feasible for lenders.

Of course, that little problem can be solved by off-the-street hiring and airline sponsorship in such a program.......