Not that I agree much with HMP but she's actually right and it is still the Vietnam era pilots. They make up over 30% of the industry and will be forced to retire my 2011. Yes, right now there isn't a shortage, but with commercial aviation training diminishing, military pilots are diminishing as well as choosing to make the military a career and with over 30% of the industry retiring by 2011 there probably will be a shortage. By 2011 most of the current regional pilots that want to and are qualified to move on will move on and that will leave the regionals fighting for pilots. And don't say they won't because they are now and it will be worse in 5 years.

Yes, there are a number of furloughed pilots (they will be recalled or go somewhere else) and major airline routes may reduce with the mergers and buyouts, but when you run the numbers all signs point to a bright future. The US Airline industry is current running at a record 83% capacity nation wide. That doesn’t leave much room for reduction!