"Some industry representatives who had initially been very supportive of the new regulations have since become critical of the new rules, arguing that they have created a pilot shortage. There is no reliable data to support this position. In fact, there is an adequate supply of qualified pilots and a robust pipeline of pilots to meet the needs of commercial aviation. In 2015, the FAA issued 6,430 ATP certificates, and in the first eight months of 2016, the FAA reported that they had issued 6,530 ATP certificates, including 599 R-ATP certificates. Regional airlines that report a shortage of pilots typically offer lower salaries, poor work-life balance, and fewer opportunities for career progression. Qualified pilots have many employment opportunities, and some regional airlines have realized that to attract qualified candidates they have to make competitive offers and invest in their pilots. Safety regulations should not be driven by the economic decisions of airlines."
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-d5TT2...ature=youtu.be