Why do you believe the number is silly? I guess if you consider positive economic growth, both domestically and internationally, population growth, expansion of travel, airports and airline fleets....then why is the number silly?

And i get that Boeing may have somewhat of a conflict of interest, but i assume that with pending heavy retirements and travel boom and growth of airlines worldwide, i can see how there is a growing pilot shortage. Furthermore, the 1,500 rule and cost of training has impeded a lot of pilots looking at the career. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some rule change of the 1,500 hours and even sweeter financial offers from airline operators as the squeeze gets tighter.