good article! If some things get changed, this is a great time for smart, new pilots to get into the industry. Of course you have to understand that you won't become a millionaire, and you will have to work really hard at first, but so do doctors and lawyers when they start out. (interns, residency, etc.)

I wish an airline would offer to pay off my loans like Mesaba is planning to do at UND. I wouldn't be Sallie Mae's b!tch right now:p

Not to worry, I guarantee, you will start seeing more and more of this to attract and retain folks.

instead of airlines paying off student loans or giving sign on bonuses, both of which makes them look like cheap car salesman just trying to make a deal, why can't they do the respectable and more popular retention tactic and offer pilots a decent salary, a good lifestyle and a happy work environment. i believe the poster-child for these points would be southwest, and i haven't seen them hurting for a inflow of well educated and highly trained pilots. in my opinion, congratulations swa!

This is probably at least the 6th article I have seen on the "Looming Pilot Shortage" in the last 2 months. Previous articles published in CNN, ALPA Magazine, AOPA Magazine, USA today... the list goes on.

And the good news for the pilots: it looks like this is just the beginning of the pilot shortage problem. The problem is all across the board. A drop in flight training, less private licenses and far less commercial licenses issued in the last few years. Most flight schools are short on instructors from many being pulled into the regionals with abnormally low flight time.

And most recently, the majors now hiring at a increasing rate... pulling many of the regional pilots up to major airlines and causing other regionals to lower their minimums and fight each other for the few remaining pilots who have little or no flight time.

Many regionals are now paying current employees $500 to find pilots. Regional airline emails and memos are now sent out regularly twice a month reminding employees of the bonuses that are offered to find pilots! I'd love to have another $500... problem is, I cant find anyone else...

This is only the beginning of what could turn into a major shortage...

I agree! Why be so damn stubborn about improving working conditions and pay. They'll pay for university loans and offer bonuses to pilots who recruit other pilots, but they refuse to pay better wages and make the company, as a whole, a better place to work. The current business model is obviously failing so why not make change for pete sake!

I worked at the UPS ground hub for a short time at CAE and they strived to keep the employees happy, as this makes the company run more efficiently. Plus, if they ever wanted us to go the extra mile, we would be more than happy to do it because they took care of us and maintained a happy working environment. Those managers busted their tails to maintain it too! Maybe the poor working conditions at the regionals is just laziness on the managements behalf to simply make it a better place to work. (I hope that last sentence made sense)

Laziness?
Incompetence?
Arrogance?
Ignorance?


The so-called 'regionals' are full of all of the above.....

And 9/11 is not a legitimate excuse. It is used by management as an exuse for their mismanagement and inability to adapt, but it is not a real reason.

Airlines around the world (which are for the most part not state-run entities) are making record profits and paying properly for their employees. Only the US airlines, and third-world airlines, are run like third-world companies.

The best run airline in the US BY FAR is SWA. Followed by UPS and Fed-Ex and CAL.

And you're excited about that $19,500???

I wouldn't count on it. Try more like $30-40K if he is lucky. I drove for 9 years and it is no picnic either.

Nope I bet your regional FO W2 he DOESN'T, not short haul anyway. My wife's Uncle is still a short haul day trucker out of SUX (Sioux City IA), he was in the mid 40's last year. Got to be a long haul trucker and gone 5 or 6 out of 7 to make that kind of money. Saw a long haul trucker on TV, he talked about checking in with his family about every two weeks! And he liked his job!

We think we have it bad, truckers have to fight a working culture that, at it's worst mind you, encourages log book doctoring, breaking DOT rules, popping pills, and frequenting truck stop prostitutes.

No offense to my high minded Trucker friends. My wife has two Uncles who truck. I like dem trucks.