Pilot shortage-give your report
04-16-2015 | 10:23 PM
#61
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Joined: Feb 2014
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That's exactly why. Sign a 10 year commitment and then only get to fly an actual aircraft for 2-3 years before you're sent to a GCS for the rest of your time. I'm living it right now.
I began to wonder when I found out how many UPT students are going through at the rank of Captain. That tells me younger guys are choosing another profession and they are drawing more pilot candidates as cross flows from other Air Force careers.
I began to wonder when I found out how many UPT students are going through at the rank of Captain. That tells me younger guys are choosing another profession and they are drawing more pilot candidates as cross flows from other Air Force careers.
04-16-2015 | 10:28 PM
#62
Living the Dream
Joined: Sep 2013
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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!
04-16-2015 | 10:39 PM
#63
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,282
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They knew FULL WELL back then that the people they were hiring would be desired at the legacies when they started hiring.
04-17-2015 | 03:54 AM
#64
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,142
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From: FIRE ALPA
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.
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.
04-17-2015 | 09:01 AM
#65
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Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Good Ship Lollipop
04-17-2015 | 11:58 AM
#66
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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.
Last edited by Rotors2Planks; 04-17-2015 at 12:01 PM. Reason: dropped phone... tried to catch and failed
04-17-2015 | 12:47 PM
#67
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Joined: Feb 2005
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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.
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.
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.
04-17-2015 | 01:37 PM
#68
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: ERJ, CA
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.
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.
That's pretty much the case throughout the regional industry. The regional model was based on flying pilots to the maximum, min avail reserves, with the shortest legal overnights possible at low wages.
FAR 117, and the 1500 hr requirement have destroyed that model along with the collapse of loans and the dissemination of knowledge through forums like this. The wheels are falling off.
04-17-2015 | 01:56 PM
#69
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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.
04-17-2015 | 01:59 PM
#70
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Joined: May 2006
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From: ATP, CFI etc.
I do not think there is a shortage of anything but maybe the desirable, high-quality recruits, whatever that means, at most regionals. Whenever I read reports on this it's always some variation of "we are able to fill our new-hire classes with some difficulty" but never "there hasn't been a new hire class in 6 months running and it's a lost cause" or "they quit trying to recruit anyone new over 8 months ago because nobody was available" or "we are shutting the doors next month for good due to lack of labor supply" or anything even close to that. Obviously all the companies are having to work hard to get their classes filled, but they are apparently doing it with great effort and things are moving along ok.
This view is also supported by the new Rand report here-
"This study finds there will not be a civilian system-wide pilot shortage in the near-term, though the system will become strained. Low-paying airlines will continue to have difficulties finding qualified pilots. All operators will experience fewer applicants for the available positions, potentially resulting in less qualified pilots system-wide."
Air Transport Pilot Supply and Demand: Current State and Effects of Recent Legislation | RAND
This view is also supported by the new Rand report here-
"This study finds there will not be a civilian system-wide pilot shortage in the near-term, though the system will become strained. Low-paying airlines will continue to have difficulties finding qualified pilots. All operators will experience fewer applicants for the available positions, potentially resulting in less qualified pilots system-wide."
Air Transport Pilot Supply and Demand: Current State and Effects of Recent Legislation | RAND
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