What's this news about a pilot shortage??

When the pilot shortage hits, the legacies will be the last to feel the effects of it. FDX/UPS are second on the food chain. So they’ll be second to last to feel the effects and when they do, they may not have a choice than to no longer require a degree.


No pilot shortage yet but unless they start increasing the value of the profession to those considering it or sitting on the sidelines, there will be one when the retirement numbers start to increase in a few years.

I don’t think I agree with this. I never even applied to a legacy carrier. I know plenty of major/legacy people that would have gone to fedex first had they got the call.

I was thinking the same thing. Since when did a spot at FedEx become 2nd fiddle to any pax carrier?

Also to your point, it seems like we have a steady stream of ex-Legacy pax folks in our new hire classes. It doesn’t appear that any significant number of ppl are bailing from fdx to the legacies either...

“Pilot shortage” isn’t due to using a Bachelors degree as a discriminator for applicants, but a decade-plus of terrible progression and poor cost/benefit economics, combined with the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act of 2010 (ie. ATP for 121 pilots rule) artificially raising experience requirements and reducing pilot supply.

...which, incidentally, has led to substantially increased compensation at the regional airline segment of the industry...

Does a degree make a better mechanical pilot? No...but as long as applicants with them meet desired qualifications it likely will continue as a requirement or a strong, weighted preference.

Well, if its a requirement, it is what it is... My story is quite simple and for what i have been reading here, grass is not way greener in USA. I worked for several years for American Eagle, and a continental express carrier, and after a while, decided to move back to Europe, where my family was.
Found a job, upgraded to the left seat on the A320, where i do round trips every day. My Commute is a 15 min drive to the airport on a 5 On/ 5Off basis, sleep home every day and see my kids in the morning or at night, oh... and i surf/kite every day with a decent salary, so...i think i will be staying in Rome FCO for a while...
Thanks to all for the info about this (IMO) "silly requirements" of the 4 year degree, but hey, it made me look for info and ask friends working in USA and you guys in the forum. There are many differences in between the industry from Europe and USA, and certainly, you guys are way ahead in pretty much everything, but have to say, we know quality of life better (until the dream is over). Thanks to all

I'm glad you found something you enjoy. However, I'm curious as to what the quality of life you have, has anything to do with being at a European carrier, as opposed to an American one. You can't live close to an airport, have several days on/several days off, flying out and backs while in the US? Impressive that you can surf every day, living near FCO airport, though, that sounds like fun.

You’re right on when you wrote that.

Mainline FedEx and it’s feeders are about to get a cold, hard kick in the balls.

Not 1988 anymore gents.

Well, quality of life i meant for having 5 On/5 Off, short commute to work, and being home everyday while living at the beach. Europe is not as capitalist as USA and i live in a socialist country where the tax you pay(veeeeeery high ones), you wont have to revert on other things (ie, private healtchare, etc...). So the net money you get at the end of the month, is what you get, because you already payed 50% of taxes in other things that you might have to pay in the US. Anyhow, life is not better or worse here, is all about the priorities you have and where you will be able to accomplish them better, and for now, it seems that is in EU, but nobody knows the future, and thats why im here to ask. Any info about EU carriers, contracts, pay, etc, feel free to ask. Cheers Guys