Originally Posted by
stabapch
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.
Originally Posted by
stabapch
Dreaming? This is happening now. Who do you think make up the predicted retirements? Military. When the military can’t put out as much as majors demand from expansion, plus retirement voids you get a minority very quickly.
The point is they started putting a lot of investment into these programs recently because they know they’ll have plenty of seats to fill. Requirements for ones that hold ATPs will go down.
Okay. If not dreaming, certainly overstating. According to recent demographics put out by DL and AA, and according to a SW recruitment event, military pilots account for approximately 50% of new hires. If they are a minority, it's that they are at 48%. They will never become "scarce", that's
certainly dramatic. As stated in this thread, 1200-1500 retiring/separating per year. That's not scarce. They put those programs into place to fill their
regional feeds. It's a recruitment tactic, and will let them indoctrinate young pilots early in all ways Delta.