Originally Posted by bedrock (Post 1863559)

My times have changed, 25 yrs ago they were forcing guys into silos and saying navigators were no longer going to be needed. I wonder if the lack of pilots could also be because prospective pilots are afraid of being forced to become a drone operator instead. Ethan Hawke even did a movie about it!

Originally Posted by GoHomeLeg (Post 1863395)

They want someone that is going to make a career there. The credentials you listed sound like someone that would go to the majors within a few years. Just a guess.

Originally Posted by SilverBullet (Post 1863515)

I am in the Air Force Reserves and at last weekends drill during commanders call our squadron commander announced that the Air Force was having difficulty filling pilot and navigator positions and that anyone who is under 30 years of age along with a college degree and is interested in becoming a pilot can submit a package for an active duty assignment.

He said that the recruiter that reached out to him requesting that he make the announcement to the members of our unit told him that in his 30 years of recruiting he has never known the Air Force to have such difficulty filling pilot positions and that this program was a very unique opportunity.

What that tells me is that those aspiring young aviators who for many years were enamored by the thrill of flying combat aircraft, an opportunity to serve there country and then eventually moving on to make aviation a career flying for an airline are no longer finding it appealing due to QOL issues and/or poor starting pay.

Just my opinion but this could have a ripple affect in the years to come and be a contributing factor to the increasing lack of qualified pilots. Anyway, I found this news interesting and thought I would share.

Originally Posted by Cubdriver (Post 1863719)

I tried that already and this user refused to take that option. I apologize to you all for this distraction, I'll see if I can tie it up soon.

Originally Posted by SilverBullet (Post 1863515)

I am in the Air Force Reserves and at last weekends drill during commanders call our squadron commander announced that the Air Force was having difficulty filling pilot and navigator positions and that anyone who is under 30 years of age along with a college degree and is interested in becoming a pilot can submit a package for an active duty assignment.

He said that the recruiter that reached out to him requesting that he make the announcement to the members of our unit told him that in his 30 years of recruiting he has never known the Air Force to have such difficulty filling pilot positions and that this program was a very unique opportunity.

Originally Posted by Sr. Barco (Post 1863845)

This thread was intended for this the kind of information. Very interesting. Whenever we have a current regional pilot in the jumpseat I ask them the question this thread is asking. I get the same answer from pilots at all regional airlines that they are chronically short on pilots, lines are built to the FAR max and reserves are little to nonexistent. A Skywest FO told me they are essentially operating with no FO reserves and Captains are covering FO trips in many cases. Can anyone backup any of these claims or add your experience at your company?

All I can offer from SWA is that the 737 type rating requirement went away and there have been no shows in several new hire classes. I received confirmation that there were 8 no shows in one class at the end of last year. I suspect the 1,000 TPIC requirement will go away but that's just speculation at this point. Trips are still being covered but summer is always a premium time bonanza with the seasonal increase in flying.

Originally Posted by Rotors2Planks (Post 1863817)

I'd be all over a chance to fly USAF and I think many others would be too but the key requirements being: under 30 and 4 year degree. It's still a way better deal than the regionals so it's just hard to believe they could be hard up for pilots. Age is what it is but I bet if they waived 4 year degrees for progressively responsible work experience or even an AA/AS, that they would have more than enough applicants. It seems to work for the Army anyway.