[QUOTE=hoover;3746398]
Originally Posted by
Cyio
Actually, I think the writing is on the wall that the pilot shortage has stabilized. I dont think we are in as competitive of a market as we were say a year ago, hence why I wished they filed for mediation sooner. All of that is besides the point in that hiring has slowed everywhere. In addition, this isnt a complete concession, the company had to offer a lot of stuff to get SWAPA to agree to it and honestly, I think making this work is what ultimantly wrapped up the contract and pushed it to a TA.
Curious why you think the hiring spree is over? I agree it slowed but the big 3 retirements are still going to require a lot of hiring till 2030
One of the airline management podcasts I listen to was just discussing this. It’s somewhat artificial, but they said it’s partially a result of the airlines reducing their flying a little bit seasonally, and partly a result of the GTF engine inspections on the NEO. They also attributed it to FedEx and UPS shedding some pilots. Those three things aren’t really creating a surplus, but they have slowed the attrition at the regionals which is allowing them to catch up with upgrades (it’s really a Captain shortage, not a pilot shortage at the regionals). Meanwhile the training pipeline is responding to the lucrative new contracts at the big 3 so student starts are way up. Plenty of pilots in the pipeline.