The flight schools where I am are saturated with newbie instructors (some experienced/older ones too)...the issue is there are less students and more private renters. Students themselves have put a hold on training because they’ve been laid off or furloughed or are simply conserving their finances.

I’m instructing part time and doing stage checks for these new or less experienced instructors and it is horrifying and annoying as hell what/how they teach because the instructional quality is pathetic. These guys are hours junkies that’s all and they’re going to end up at a regional anyway.

To put it plainly, when someone can’t hand fly a ******* ILS without an autopilot or turn knobs on a missed approach, then that’s a serious red flag. When someone needs constant affirmation on their commercial or CFI maneuvers and can’t tell if they’re performing to ACS standards, that’s a serious red flag.

Aside from that, flight schools have taken a hit and leaseback owners also gave up their airplanes to save their money so it’s a domino effect. Even if students are there, the equipment isn’t available.

As for the political aspect, people can say what they want but it was the inaction and weakness or total lack in leadership of the current administration that cost people like myself their jobs or security. We had 4 years from a guy who turned things to ash when he touched them. He had his chance and blew it. I mean he was all about “the buck starts here and stops here.”