Originally Posted by Sr. Barco

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?

Originally Posted by Sr. Barco

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.

Originally Posted by bedrock

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.

Originally Posted by Cubdriver

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

Originally Posted by Sr. Barco

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 Avroman

Then why the heck are they not calling me for an interview? I'll show up Monday!

Originally Posted by Sr. Barco

Boy do I know about your first statement. I flew for Trans States Airlines (Hulas Kanodia's Flying Circus) in the 90's. Day 3 of every 4 day was reduced rest with a delayed departure to get your 8 hours of "rest" (old rules).

My question though is if anyone who has been at their company for a while has seen a marked increase in JA events, a strong lack of reserve coverage etc.

Originally Posted by bedrock

Not just at TSA, at XJT many of the first and third days was a RR overnight on a 4 day. It really was dangerous. We had 8:40 scheduled overnights in Mexico, which were always cut down to 8:00 due to inevitable departure delays. Then :45 mins to deplane and go thru customs, a 1 hr drive to and from the hotel, plus check in, etc. and you were looking at 4 1/2 hrs sleep if you were lucky.