Originally Posted by legend

Since December 2012 when the five year extension was up, is when the Pilot Shortage began. But that doesn't mean all of a sudden every airline will be calling immediately because of it. This shortage will be over a span of 7-10 years before the majors feel it but the regionals and other operators are already experiencing the beginning of it. Just at the majors(3) in 2015 they will be hiring close to 3500 pilots and if sustained over 5 years that's 17,500 pilots needed at the big three. How many regional pilots are out there? They will hire from other corporate and 135 operators as well thus a shuffle between the different type of flying jobs, which creates more opportunity for all. So I believe there will be a shortage at the majors but it will and is happening now at the regional level. In 3 years I doubt many regionals will survive unless their absorbed by the major.

If anything, there will be continuous hiring at the majors for the next 3 decades. Not a bad outlook from what we're used to.