I'm not really talking about increased pilot numbers as much as i am replacing the pilots that will be retiring in the near future. There are nearly 4500 pilots retiring in the next 10 years. So just considering attrition, increased rest requirements, and potential growth you have a significant amount of pilots needing to be hired in the next few years. Should be interesting.

I understand the point you're making but after the bill is passed theres not much we can do about changing it. Revenue wont be flat forever and this change wont take place over night like they did with age 65 either. In the meantime we need to get the payrates up to compensate for the potential of lower credited hours.

the regionals will be hammered by this though because the regional pilots typically have to fly 100 hours a month in order to credit enough time to make any decent money since the rates are so low. Its going to be interesting.