Originally Posted by acecrackshot

So, we hear about pilot shortages...what is the actual number of pilots looking for jobs at a major vs. number of open billets to be filled?

Has anyone ever heard an actual number, as in considered current, qualified and competitive for the process? The last real number I've heard was from a source at Alaska, who I would deem had access to the information, that the number had ranged from 1500 4 years ago to 1000 or so, two years ago.

Obviously, since the qualifications by airline vary, the qualifications that make you most competitive vary so much, not every applicant applies for every position, etc., the equation would have lots slop baked into the pie from the start.

So, any estimates ranging from the known number of applications on file to a semi-educated guess?