I’ve been flying commercially for about 53 years. (40 years airlines and 13 years of private jets after retirement.)
l’ve been hearing about this BS for all those years. Even when airlines were furloughing us every couple of years!
l do however think there is finally a shortage of “STUPID” pilots. Meaning pilots whom used to spend a couple of hundred thousands of Dollars to get a job that pays $20k/yr. Or someone like me who actually flew for $2,000/ mo. as a 727 Captain during furlough from a major airline, because I was too stupid and lazy to go find a real job. Or as the “honey bucket” dumper said “leave aviation?” 😎
Currently the major airlines are spreading this false rumor so they can raise the retirement age one more time. And the commuter carriers are crying Crocodile tears, so the FAA drops the 1,500 hour requirement, in order for them to go back paying their pilots $20K/yr. again!