You are correct. I was unaware that US Pilots are at the bottom of the global barrel in terms of compensation. I assumed (yeah, I know the saying) that the relatively new off-shore carriers were offering mounds of cash to attract pilots away from the US...there-by creating the vacuum that is being "predicted". But the compensation would plateau as those carriers filled their experience base and settled into a corporate cruise attitude and I assumed that the compensation those carriers offered to their domestic routs was less favorable.

Again, my erronious assumption was that pilots from South and Central America, Africa, Southern and Central Asia, would love to have the payscale and lifestyle that we deem unacceptable. And that the barbarians at the gate were merely waiting for an opportunity to rush in.

I've never been happier to be wrong. :)

Not really sure what your angle is, BUT; yes, pilots from those places find jobs. Yes, there are plenty of REALLY crappy airlines, too.

But, by and large, the premier foreign airlines have no desire to copy USA airlines. Emirates, for instance, isn't searching the African jungle for unclothed tribesman to run their A380, B777, and A340/330 fleet.

I've never seen a respectable offshore airline offer the CRAP pay and conditions that we accept as "paying your dues".

Good point. But remember, EVERYTHING is relative. There are many that went to a certain offshore carrier and have stated that the conditions flat out suck compared to what they had in the states. As well as offer a "crap" place to live. All that money, the housing allowance, etc simply isn't worth it if you're not happy and/or live in a place that in all reality, doesn't offer much. And the guy basically can't wait to go on a trip because it gets them away from where they have to call home.

Again, EVERYTHING is relative.

USA Today article on coming pilot shortage
 

Demand for airline pilots set to soar - USATODAY.com

Anyone know when this article was printed (assuming it ran in the paper-paper as well)?

"Today, flying for a regional airline for many individuals has become their career,"

and then

"They make lifestyle choices to stay at regional carriers because benefits, compensation, (and the) type of flying suits them well."

It didn't suit me!

But curious when it was printed.

Front page last Tuesday...

I think those quotes came from Roger Cohen who is a well known font of misinformation about the industry. He represents regional airlines for the RAA. The pbs documentary on the colgan crash had an interview with him in it and it would probably make you want to throw something if you watched it.

I think it has been printed every 3-4 years since 1926 when ERAU was founded

It was printed as a cover story last week & it caught my eye it was written in BIG BOLD letter on the front page abiut pilot shortage.
I have read the paper version & I think that most of the things mentioned are spot on.
The article did mention about the reduced interest of people because of the High cost of training & the shamefuly low salary of entry level regional pilots.
The another fact that it highlites is the fact about retirements in large numbers & that airlines will have a tough time finding pilots.
3rd importatnt thing mentioned is the growth of aviation & flying in ASIA, specially in China, India, south east asian countries & middle east.

So, overall a good article but YES there are things that made it sound like a paid AD from Embry Riddle, like the photo on the cover page & a story of one pilot etc etc......

Bottom line is that the retirements are happening & will continue in large numbers for the next few years & airlines are already having tough time finding qualified people & that is evident from the lowering of the mins at many airlines.
Eagle, for example, used to be 1200 TT less than a year ago & today is 500TT.

This is a joke right? You wrote this in sarcasm, right?

Perhaps the most recent ones, but he originally plagiarized P. T. Barnum (correctly attributed or not) and W. C. Fields. I can't believe people keep falling for this stuff.