Exactly. Most people think that it is just 1500 hours. As a CFI, 1500 hours is not that difficult to get. I'll be there end of year...but it is the XC time that scares me. Most CFIs at my school who have over 1500 or even 2000 hours are not even close to 500 hours of 50nm XC time.

This means most people will have to CFI for a bit and then do 135 for a bit then go 121. Which, I am sure will make some people on here giddy as a school girl. However, that makes the road from entry to 121 even longer (again, giddy as a school girl) which given the looming pilot $40r7@93 spells even more problems for staffing. I know the Pilot S-word is very taboo around here but given the numbers retiring, it seems that this is going to make a pool of FOs very small. Especially with the ever shrinking 135 world.

If they are having problems filing classes now, Imagine what it will be like in several years. People always talk about there will only be a shortage of qualified people willing to work at sub standard rates. But the thing is, there just may as well be a shortage of QUALIFIED only people (ATP), regardless of the rate they want to work for. People think this will raise pilot pay rates, but even if Regional XYZ offers $100/duty hour, if people don't have the ATP they will not be eligible.