I do not believe there is a shortage of qualified pilots either, outside of flight instructing. I posted an ad for a jet FO (P-2) position on Sunday, and received approximately 250 resumes in three days. About 175 applicants qualified for the position, and many of them are currently Captains/type rated on the aircraft.
I believe this so-called "shortage" is a combination of media-hype and self-serving employment agency rhetoric.
