Originally Posted by
Excargodog
What everybody forgets is that the USAF cranks out about 1200 FW pilots a year and the Navy maybe a third of that. Now granted, not all of those people will go into the 121 world and they get distributed to ALL of the industry, not just AA, but they make a huge difference. More recently, you can add the military RTP aviators to the mix.
Anyone supposing the majors are going to get desperate next year or next decade is wrong. Opportunities will be improved - unless the economy tanks or oil hits 200 a barrel - but the top tier majors are not ever going to have to be begging anyone to come work for them.
The military is begging for pilots now. Military pilots are now the minority at majors and as retirements keep increasing they are becoming more scarce. The number of pilots they’re currently putting out will definitely decrease, especially when you’re forced to stay in longer because they can’t recruit.
United and Delta are already committed to “street to hero” programs to fill future voids. They may not be “desperate” but they definitely know they will have to do something once retirements get rolling, such as lowering standards, most likely throwing the degree requirement away.