Wrong.

Increased demand vs. supply drives cost higher however that does not imply a shortage in and of itself.

All this industry is experiencing is a prolonged increase in demand.

There is no lack of supply, no shortage and no scarcity. Wages are rising at the regional level to match the demand-supply curve. Majors are not having to respond with more money. ATP and student pilot issuances are up.

Once again pilots bought the shortage Kool-Aid the industry loves to dish out to keep wages suppressed. Gives them a shot at lower hiring standards with the government through a fake crisis. Flight schools also love it for the love of $$$. The media loves it cause the impending pilot shortage sensationalist headlines make them $$$.

Pilots can't decide if there is a shortage of them or if they are about to be wiped out by drones. When pilots experience a demand for their services which approximates normal demand in a typical profession it's as though they catch the vapors or something.

A nurse takes a new job, gets a signing bonus and a paid move...that's normal. Nobody blinks. A pilot gets a doggie biscuit thrown their way and the end of the world must be near. We as a group are our own worst enemies more often than not. We ineptly propagate BS by not analyzing deep enough, BS which not infrequentely is being used consciously by some to remove money from our pockets. Believe it.

I'm encouraged that ALPA and some pilots mostly headed this one off at the pass (this time) by nipping it in the bud. That's why regional wages are going up instead of FAA requirements going down.

But attention shortage Kool-Aid drinkers....it's still not too late to help the industry use congress to screw up the demand-supply curve you are for once enjoying!

Just keep saying that the pilot shortage is real. They appreciate your soundbites and WILL use it at every opportunity they can so as to fix this "problem" of having to pay you more.

I promise!