The other thing that's going to be interesting to watch is this micro-jet air-taxi concept. It could be good for pilots, for several reasons
1) The air-taxis are obviously targeting some existing airline business, but they are also targeting some road traffic. Take some folks off the road, put 'em airplanes, that's good for us.
2) Any passengers they steal from airlines are now in 6 seat airplanes instead of 36 seat or 50 seat airplanes. Many more pilot jobs per pax.
3) I am highly suspicious of the air taxis' business model. I suspect that their assumption on labor costs is that they can find 800 hour CFI's at the local patch who are willing to fly just for turbine time....well insurance is going to have a say in that. They will either need two pilots, one of whom is at ATP mins, OR possibly a single pilot who already has EXTENSIVE turbine experience.
4) For microjet FO's, If these guys start hiring every CFI in sight, that will dry up the pool for them and the regionals real quick, driving salaries up.
5) For microjet captains, where are they going to get turbine experienced people with ATP mins who are not too costly...RJ FO's!
This could result in a double hiring demand on regional FOs...from the bottom from the CFI ranks and from the current trained and experienced FO's. Regionals might have to start paying signing bonuses!
