I think its time to separate FACT from FICTION regarding this LAUGHABLE notion of a pilot shortage. Widespread talk of pilot shortages always mean we at the top of an economic cycle.

A little history:

When I started flying in 1986 there was talk of a looming pilot shortage. By 1990 jobs were scarce at best.

In 2000-2001 everyone was again talking shortages. Sadly, the horrific events of 9/11 coincided with an already maturing economic cycle and huge furloughs ensued.

As recently as spring/summer 2007 pilot shortage talk was at an all time high. Now less than 1 year later airlines are dying like flies and furloughs are again rearing their ugly heads. Sadly, the age 65 debacle will mean that the pilot community will take longer to recover than the general economy will this time.

So when things turn around as they eventually will, please let's don't talk about any pilot shortages.

 

They seem to match with Oil Prices (Shortage / Surplus)

 

Maybe people won't if you don't start the 10,000th thread on the subject all over again.

I believe the point has been made on most of these threads that there seems to be a shortage of high-time, experienced pilots...not pilots in general. Whether that's true or not I have no idea and I suspect you don't know either. But by all means, let's stop the back and forth over this issue...it's getting ridiculous.

B2P

 

I don't think there is a pilot shortage, do you? LOL!

 

I think there is a real pilot shortage.

A shortage of highly qualified pilots willing to work dismal hours for near-indentured servitude wages with questionable equipment.

 

Precisely, but there will never be a shortage of pilots willing to do that.

 

I think there are a shortage of people with a high amount of TT & PIC...

 

No, there isn't...never has been. What *does* exist is a shortage of people with a high amount of TT and PIC, that will accept regional airline compensation and QOL...as jedinein previously stated. NetJets, CitationShares, and all the legacies that are or were hiring have thousands of EXTREMELY qualified pilots sending them resumes.

The "pilot shortage" that never existed formally went *poof* the day Age 65 was passed...and with 6 airlines just having gone out of business the "pilot shortage" is much deeper than 6 feet under.

 

I agree with BoilerUp. Age 65 and over 650 pilots on the street now, with significant experience should put an end to the pilot shortage

 

Well said, even the majority of regional airlines have since stopped hiring, and in some cases are asking pilots to take leave of absences. I would say we are headed into a pilot surplus as opposed to shortage.