So, other professions don't buy food because they don't get per diem? Your comment, both logically and grammatically, sounds like it came from a 14 year old. The convenience store employee has to use his taxable income to buy food, wheras I use my tax free per diem to buy food. You're lost.

The reason I asked about ATPs, is because everyone is denying the shortage from a 121 standpoint only. In 15 years when retirements peak, even if regionals increased compensation to $80k a year, there would be a shortage. Those pilots have to come from somewhere and other parts of our industry (fractional, corporate, cargo) would feel the pain. We aren't making enough pilots to cover the baby boomers.