The numbers I have been told are:
Emirates 500 over the next 12 months ( coming mostly from
VB by the sounds of it)
VB 250 -required for Embraer , B777- 230, current shortfall 50 Total 530
Qantas -12 a month from April/May roughly 100 or so
Jetstar -12 a month until 2009 apparently
Cathay -Has 550 training positions in the sim sequence this year ( both upgrades and intakes) so 275 required.
Japan -Absolute heaps required minimum 120 DECs for one smaller operator alone
Hong Kong Both Dragon and other operators recruiting.
Whoever between Jetstar and Virgin goes to bonding first will get the Lion's share of recruits amongst a small group of pilots out there (and won't the boys that have paid for thier endorsemants to get in be happy!). Won't stop them only keeping them for a few years until they move on to other operators that realise the supply shortage and are begining to pay accordingly. Out of all of the above Emirates (for sheer size of numbers) and
VB (for other reasons) will have the biggest problems getting enough people.