United has over 10,000 applications on file. I would imagine Delta, American, Alaska, and Hawaiian are in a very similar state. There is no pilot shortage at the majors nor will there be for a very long time. The regionals are crying because the bar has been raised to the minimum. If starting pay at a regional was $45K and average pay was $85k the regionals would have no staffing issues. A college graduate with a technical degree should not have to collect food stamps for his first 2 years after graduation.
The pipeline of qualified applicants is drying up. There is very little incentive for someone to start training today for an airline job.
Given the current state of this industry, when I am asked, I strongly deter anybody from starting to fly as a career interest. Hobby, absolutely. Business expedience, absolutely. Career, NFW!