Originally Posted by
Green Needles
Kirby is posturing to have the government throw money at the problem so he doesn't have to. We don't need more government help. The jobs need to pay enough to make it worthwhile to spend the money on the education. Get rid of the FFD model and bring all flying in house. No more cheap contractors.
While we're at it, let's address the cost of learning to fly. There's no need to waste money on a university degree and a fancy airplane. Get your licenses and ratings as cheaply as possible and get your job.
You aren't wrong but just about every other professional career gets subsidies of one sort of another. Pilots without military benefits are basically on their own.
Do I personally love government meddling in the economy and the unintended consequences it creates? No. But Kirby is right to lobby for what other industries get.
To the point a few posts ago: There are two shortages right now. One is the current shortage of pilots willing to work for the wages offered. The other is the future shortage if flight school enrollments stay where they are.
Kirby is more concerned with the later since he can stripe mine the regionals to solve the former. He appears quite prepared to do that and to allow UAX to shrink.
It will be very interesting to see when the market finally finds some equilibrium.