For me it seems like the magic numbers is around 500 and 1000 hours from different applications I have put out. Seems like passing 1000 hours it starts to get funny for the pilot, workwise ..
Having an IR will for sure help on the CV - personally I believe one should think IR should be standard part of the education itself, just like it is for FW pilots and most FAA guys. I know it's a bitch paying for a JAA IR, but still ..
Yes, there is a shortage of pilots at the moment. How long it will last, who knows. But Bristow's CEO has said on the last Heli-Expo, that they need 850-950 pilots the next 5 years world-wide. Probably a reason why they bought HAI. I hear CHC's numbers just for their European operations is 80 new pilots this year and another 40 next year ..
And these major players are beside hiring rookies just fresh from the schools, also pulling in pilots from all the other operators. And that will leave open seats for others there ..
- madman