I've read an in depth news article today, from a US website called "aircraft pilot".
Apparently, the pilot shortage in the U.S regionals is starting to become so severe.
The U.S needs 3,600 new pilots a year now, and every year, MOSTLY in the regionals,
that figure will increase to over 4,000 new pilots needed per year, in 5 years time.
In 10 years time, up to 40% of current airline Captains will retire.
There is a current push, to increase the retirement age from 65 to 67, it appears, it's likely to happen.