Originally Posted by SEPfield

Just my thoughts, but the shortage of pilots willing to work for crap wages is already causing the airlines to streamline and "right size" their operations. Ticket fares are increasing and will increase further as airlines blame the shortage of pilots and increased wages as the reason for increased fares. The increased wages will increase the draw for pilots to join the career field. So when oil does recover the airlines will once again raise fares to compensate. If this somehow results in an abundance of pilots it won't result in furloughs due to the retirement wave, but it may put the airlines in a position to grow their regionals again, which they would love.