Originally Posted by
skypilot646
Anyone know a rough time to command for someone starting this year?
Currently it's 16 years as last command awarded was an 08 start.
Couple of things to note. Recruiting in that era stopped in early 2009, and didn't restart until mid 2016. As the indications for next training year will be as big as the current one all those who started in 08/09 will have a chance to bid for a command next TY, so likely that some 2016/17 starts will get a command slot next TY to start their command sometime in 2025. So time to command should drop to about 8-9 years.
As for the time to command for someone starting this year? That's variable, and as you know the industry has ups and downs meaning it can be many years depending on where you fall as the wave ends. Currently forecasts with retirements and new aircraft into the fleet show the number of Captains needed overall to increase by 200. Half of all current Captains will hit retirement by decade's end.