Originally Posted by WhiskyWhisky

As long as there are pilots who are willing to live the commute-to-base lifestyle as they do, there is no shortage. Typical commuting co-worker:

Day 1 - Drives two hours from home to commuting airport, then flies half way across country to base. 6 hours later, gets hotel room or pays for crash pad for the evening.

Days 2,3,4,5 - Flies a 4-day trip for the company.

At end of 4-day trip, has to get hotel room or crash pad because there are no more 'flights home'.

Day 6 - Flies half way across country to get home, then drives 2 hours home from commuting airport (This is only if the Wx is good, and there are no other delays)

Day 7 - Gets one day off at "home".

Day 8 - Repeats above process above until the end of the month. Repeats month after month.

I hear this story nearly each time I take a trip. These same folks seem to hate their jobs and careers. Generally unhappy folks. But they continue to put up with the commuting life. Why? They are willing to sacrifice 7 to 15 years of their life away; family, QOL, so they can fly for United, Delta, or American.

There is no pilot shortage. When these 'competitive tactics' go away, then, OK, maybe we will see a shortage on the horizon.

Don't be one of these people and Lower The Bar. It's truly sad what airline pilots are willing to give up in life in this business. Pretty much explains why I fly with so many divorced pilots... and I ain't no Dr. Phil.