Pilot shortage? really?
 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...hortage30.html


what do we make of this? The US is the only place without a shortage they seem to say.

Yes, this article was posted in the regional forum. Of course the U.S. doesn't have a shortage being we're the pilot factory for the world.

This should make everyone wonder about open skies again. This is yet another case of the rest of the world trying to lower requirements to fly, and the U.S. wants to allow the rest of the world into our system. Maybe if the public knew they could potentially be riding on an aircraft with a pilot that has less time at the controls than their 16 year old has driving cars. :eek:

Before you know it they will start selling train at home courses....Flight Sim should suffice!

i wonder if they will start paying there pilots, as much as regional pilots make here.

Bri85 please tell me that you are joking. The pilot jobs in Africa, Asia and the Middle East all pay far better than a comparable job here in the US. Aviation is one industry that we as Americans do not have to worry about people from other parts of the world undercutting us. Do some research on pay and benefits worldwide and you will soon see how bad things are here in the US.

Here is what happens when you let young males go fast before they gain experience......

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/lo...,2767626.story

India is bidding for pilots against other countries now and passing laws making harder for them to simply quit and go to a better paying job without a 3 month notice... there is a shortage, but it's not here!

In the end, we need to get away from the 400-500 hour RJ new hire thing.. just because an airplane today is automated and computerized with less airman skill needed to fly it doesn't mean we don't still have to hire experienced airman to man them.. there will never be a pilot shortage when you can get a right seat job on an RJ with little experience.

of course im joking!! ;)

Surplus
 

Here is my favorate part;

"there is no shortage of pilots in the U.S. to fly commercial jetliners. In fact, there is a pilot surplus. U.S. airlines laid off more than 10,000 pilots after the 2001 terrorist attacks. Many remain out of work, though some are taking jobs in Asia and the Middle East, where the shortage of pilots is most severe."

I would like to go back someday but not for 24K. You guys can use me as an indicator species. If I get hired at a decent company one day then there is really a pilot shortage. Until then .... :(

SkyHigh

"121 ONLY" Pilot Licence
 

On another thread I pitched the idea of having a "121 Only" commercial multi-engine pilot license program. The Seattle times article seems to suggest something similar.

Why not train new pilots from scratch to be airline jet only line pilots? They could get a few basics in piston planes but most of the training could be done in jet simulators. I have always thought it confusing to have to learn so many layers of FAR's; 61, 91, 135, 121 ect,,, Ops specs, limitations, VFR rules, piston plane aerodynamics and physics, Single engine stuff.

Most of what a new pilot learns is in preparation for a career as a piston VFR pilot. The FAA could do away with a lot of the current syllabus and efficiently train professional "airline only" pilots and be able to focus solely on what they need. I believe the results would be a better trained and prepared pilot.

SkyHigh