Originally Posted by
TimetoClimb
This just proves we are in a hiring wave, not an actual shortage...that by definition would require there to be inadequate replacement numbers, which remains to be seen (at skywest, republic, envoy, endeavor and psa aka 80% of the regional industry).
Wrong, if it were simply a hiring wave they’d still be paying new hires $26 an hour. There is a shortage. Hence the significant raises, bonus programs, and 200% and 300% overtime’s. 2006-2013 was a hiring wave, when regionals hired like crazy and 250 hours got you in the door... wages were stagnant. There absolutely is a shortage, initially it was pay and working conditions driven. In just a few years it will become a physical shortage, and globally it will be worse outside the US.
Originally Posted by
TimetoClimb
Interestingly what's developing is not a shortage of 1500hr pilots but rather slightly experienced 2000-4000hr pilots willing to go to ACMI or a good 135 or any pay tier lower than LCC. However, I concede that 121 regional captains will remain to be bottleneck.
Just look at the places that return calls immediately and have class dates like tomorrow. ..that's where they are hurting. Around 5-10 percent of (undesirable)121 jobs I'd surmise.
By 2023 the picture could be different but it's anyone's guess.
Precisely why several of the ACMI have increased wages well above the LCC’s. An example, Omni has the highest first year rate in the entire 121 industry at $119 per hour. First year pay is above most regional top step CA pay. The top step 767 pay is $297 an hour and is above several legacy rates on the same equipment.
One thing is for sure, it’s a great time to be a pilot.