Cappy

According to recent reports around the country there is a looming pilot shortage. If you look at the minimums being as low as just a commercial/multi now at one carrier, does anyone think this will eventually lead to retention with higher pay/benefits?

Is it possible that this will be the turnaround opportunity that pilots in the 121 side have hoped for? According to AOPA pilots holding licenses have dropped by over 200,000 in ten years. The need for pilots is expected to double by 2025.

Swing away...

Airborne

There is no pilot shortage. If there were we wouldn’t have places like Mesa and Great Lakes using and abusing pilots because they know there are 100 more lined up around the corner ready to replace any pilot that attempts to improve pay and QOL and stand up to greedy management. Also many are scared to stand up for themselves because they think that if they anger someone and that person might know another that may keep them from getting hired a major someday (there is some truth to that, because many pilot choose to hurt other pilots other than helping them.)
Airlines are telling the media there is a pilot shortage but the media is failing to report the whole truth. There are plenty of qualified pilots out there but only the low timers are willing to accept poor pay and QOl because they think it will be a stepping stone to the majors. Then they become frustrated to learn the chances of making to the majors are fairly slim so they get out of the industry only to be replaced by another low timer with the same expectations.
Pilots are a dime a dozen, I believe the truth may slowly be getting out there to perspective students and others but so far I would say there still isn’t a true pilot shortage. IMHO

Nashmd11

There is and most likely will never be a Pilot Shortage. It's all Political and Marketing Bullsh*t. Now if some Pilots grew some, and said I will not work for Food Stamps, then yes, maybe there would be a shortage of Pilots. But this ain't going to happen. To much Back stabbing of young kids coming out of Riddle. The problem is, that now there is no great job in the end. It's now a career at a regional. This is what happens when you let the majors fly 100 seat feeders. Only 1-5% will ever make the big bucks at FDX or UPS. They can't see the Forest through the trees. Very Sad.

Cappy

I believe I said it was a "pending" shortage. That means it hasn't happened yet. i do not think that all the media sources can be in conspiracy at once. There was a very good article and I will try and locate it again and post the link. It was more global that domestic in tone, though.

Cappy

Found it:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/busine...ml?source=mypi

Again, more of a global tone.

rickair7777

Based purely on numbers:

20,000 regional pilots
45,000 major pilots

Somewhat more than 5% should make it eventually. It is true that you are likely to spend a LOT more time at a regional than in the past.

There is some good news in that there is an undeniable lack of interest at the entry level due to the need to spend 100K to get a 20K job, with no near-term prospects of the dream job. While SJS may be alive and well, historicaly a lot of folks have pursued this career for lifestyle and income reasons. Anybody who started before 9/11 could easily justify the decision at the time...the pay was pretty good relative to the time off you would get. There are a lot of kids that aren't total dummies, and the word is getting out that law, medicine, or MBA would be a better choice. Time will tell.

skeebo2

No pilot shortage. 5 year extension to 65. We'll fly till we die, you have to wait to get hired. Thanks to ALPA who will not support its own majority.

flyerNy

i don't understand why pilots dont fire alpa.

UWpilot

What are your suggestions as an alternate? You probably think companies would give you fair wages and decent work rules if it wasn't for the big bad union.

Go Sox!

RedeyeAV8r

Do you really think that After the Bush Administration cut a deal with the EU on open Skies and since he also agreed to allow Foriegn ICAO pilots to fly into/out of US Airspace as of Nov 2006......................

Do you really think ALPA can stop it? I think ALPA is being upfront and telling everyone the Reality of the situtation. But nobody wants to here the truth.......................

Quote from Jack Nicholson (forget the Movie Title)

"You can't handle the Truth"