6 years ago I applied to the biggest airline in Hong Kong.
I received a very curt form letter saying
"We have your CV on file.
Update it every 6 months quoting this reference number.
We might get back to you, we might not."
I decided that an organisation that was so impersonal was not for me, so never wrote to them again. Since then my life has moved on and I'm happy where I am doing what I'm doing.
Last week I received a letter from the Hong Kong airline inviting me to reapply for a position senior to what I originally applied for. I repeat I have had no communication with them in 6 years.
And this is one of those airlines that lots of pilots aspire to join.
I conclude from this that they must be short of suitable pilot applicants and are hunting far and wide to find some.
In other words;
There is a very serious shortage of suitably qualified, experienced pilots.