(ALPA) Looming Pilot Shortage Is a Myth
 

Good article

I have been saying this for some time now, that I believe there is no pilot shortage. It is thus far only a myth, and a very expensive one at that. There is possibly a mild pilot shortage made up of too few pilots willing to work for the same old terrible regional airline pay. I am not totally sure "that" shortage actually exists, except there is some circumstantial evidence that it may be true such as a few sign on bonuses here and there, plus some anecdotal reports.

Things may change though. I truly believe the ATP rule changes have yet to be felt in the supply chain and the industry may decide that wage increases are a better idea than letting the supply of new pilots reach lower levels.

Interesting, thanks for the post.

I liked this response:

Hmm, not very uplifting for an aspiring professional pilot. Although the reply about helicopters is certainly interesting

There are a large number of airlines that are: raising pay, increasing the varieties of commuting schedules, allowing commuting where there was none before, opening pilot bases in foreign countries to try and lure pilots in, parking aircraft and cancelling those aircraft flying schedules, etc., etc.

But, if you don't believe there is a pilot shortage, then you are correct.

As in, a domestic regional airline? Which ones?

Since when did any airline not allow commuting to work? Or bidding lines based on seniority? Can you please be more specific, especially in regard to domestic regional airlines.

As in, domestic regional airlines doing that now? Wow! :)

Some domestic regionals have apparently done this in the last year or so here, but not because there is a genuine or truly pressing pilot shortage, no, it is because they cannot staff these aircraft while paying short-order-cook wages any more. It is a minor shortage, not a genuine or substantial one.

There is no domestic pilot shortage at the regional level, Cliff. Like I said on the other thread that you never bothered to reply to, foreign airlines are another story and are in fact poaching American mainline pilots with better pay structure and less competition for jobs than in the US. The US is awash in cheap pilot labor and always has been for the last several decades. I wish you would either stop saying there is a pilot shortage in the US, or at least back your opinion with some genuine facts.

Pilots are a global commodity, and pilot jobs are all over the globe. We are lucky to be allowed to fly for many countries that need us.Many other Americans are not allowed to work in their career fields overseas..if there are no us jobs, they are screwed. We get the benefit of us pilots going overseas which lowers the number available to work in the US.

PSA is short on crews..

...and this, after doubling the starting pay for all new hires? Or was it just an additional 50%? :)

I for one, am hoping there is a pilot shortage, but agree it really has to do with the wages and QOL that US regionals offer. I fly light twin turbines in Africa on a 50/50 roster, all expenses paid from the time I show up at BOS until I return to BOS, for the same salary that a 5 year FO makes at a Legacy according to APC's airline profiles page. I want to come home permanently, it is extremely difficult to maintain a happy homelife, add in the fact that worrying about terrorists(37 expats were killed in an attack 120NM south of me last year) and giving up so much of my freedom while at work has gotten old, but I still need to be able to pay my bills :eek:

I am currently researching my options and hoping this hiring wave is my ticket. I have 5,500 TT with 1,500 Multi Turbine PIC, but it is all light turbine. Not sure if the Legacies will consider me or not. I am hoping 3+ years of international experience will tip the scale in my favor. When I look at JetBlue or Virgin, I can get by on their pay and QOL, but at the regionals :( How do you keep your head afloat?! Then I read about the QOL at the regionals to top it off!

And that is the real reason regionals are having a shortage. ALPA has it right, pay pilots what they are worth, treat them humanely, and the shortage will disappear. I can not understand how this is so difficult for the regionals to understand. None of the Legacies are having trouble attracting qualified pilots, none of the international carriers are having trouble, none of the overseas bush operators are having trouble either.

What does surprise me, is that the regionals are crying wolf and gathering attention from the public over this. Yet every time I read an article on the subject, the regionals' deplorable compensation is pointed out as the main cause! So why do they want the light shined on them...?

Have you thought about atlas, or other airlines like it???

There's also the middle east....

I am in Islamic North Africa now, there is no way for all the tea in China I would go work in the Middle East!!

Now Atlas is another story :-)

I am not saying it hasn't happened, but you'd be hard pressed to land a Major, Atlas or an LCC with light multi engine time. Best bet is to slug it out in the RJ world for a yr or two then punch out.

Sadly, that is the conclusion I have been resigning myself to. Come April and May I will be applying everywhere, shoot for the moon, but I am expecting it will be a regional for a year or two.

Which brings me to another question, which regionals have the best QOL? The pay scales are unfortunately all close enough not to matter that much over the course of 1-2 years. I am not looking for mudslinging and which regionals to avoid, I have an idea already. But rather, which regionals to apply to, what are your top 3 picks and why. Also, what about the 135 jet world, and why.

Thanks in advance!

I may not be qualified enough to offer career advise to someone with your quals but pls consider it as a different perspective.

I think that the Middle East which ATPCLIFF was referring to was more like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait etc..

There is a world of difference between THAT Middle East and Islamic North Africa that You may have seen.

If you really want to come back to the States side & if you live in BOS, the JetBlue will be your best bet. Pls ask in the JBlue forum if your quals will be good enough for JBlue, I think they should be more than enough.

I think gong to the job fairs may help to put your face in front of the recruiters and you may get an interview with JBlue.

There is also Spirit & Alliegant.

Now coming to regionals, I think they are more or less the same except SKW, XJT or Air Whisky who have better contracts. It all depends on where you want to commute to.

You may have to swallow the Regional bitter pill for a year or so, to get the 121 Jet Glass time, if you don't already have it...