Originally Posted by Sweatsock

It's hard to say whats going to be happening in the future. We are coming into a huge retirement cycle at the majors. My airline (Usairways) loses about 40% of its pilot force by the end of this decade. By 2025 there are only about 800 of the current pilots that will be left. I do not have numbers for the AA side of things but I do know their retire cycle kicks in big time a few years after ours does.

I have a Coast guard friend from years ago that was in your situation back in the late 90's. He went to a regional to get his fixed wing time. Sadly I cannot give you an update on him since we have lost touch so I don't know if he ever moved up to the majors or not.

As far as the shortage goes? Well I was reading a few week ago in plane business or some related aviation magazine that last year there were only about 300 commercial certificates issued. If that holds, then I would say you have a good shot in your last 25 years to 65 at a decent career.