FP Ace,
You will find that The Kavorka has the numbers right.
The combinations could be altered but these crewing figures are actually on the lean side of the requirements of the airlines. Nor does it include 4 Brand name Asian airlines who are currently running 400 jet pilots short betwwen them and working their staff at max hours which is not sustainable.
For the last twenty years the challenges of supply and demand have always been the same. Whether the pilots have any currency is not as a result of their lobbying or union pressure, but events well beyond their control. Examples of these would be:The introduction of wide body aircraft on routes traditionally operated by smaller jets, changes in the economy, International disease, advances in aircraft manufacturing techniques, etc.
At the moment Australian pilots are basking in the effect of five major factors: The delay in the introduction of the A380, an unsuccessful EBA at Virgin, a local economy which is being sustained by a resources demand which has lasted longer than anticipated, a global economy which is presently at an unprecedented level of bouyancy and an ongoing profitable war in Iraq. Unusual events, the combination of which have not occurred for a very long time. The local effect is a share market and real estate market both on the up when they normally alternate. So there is lots of cash available, people gaining pay rises and unprecedented "success" all around us.
So why aren't pilot pays going up? Were you aware that the American banking industry studied every registered airline in the world and found that between 1974 and 2000 not one cent profit was made by the industry? The profits just keep changing hands. It's a difficult industry.
Given the long lead times in aircraft manufacturing, the juggling of an individual operators desire to expand (perhaps buying new aircraft to do so) with the commercial pressures of maintaining a profitable company in a dynamic economic environment, it is hardly surprising that a short term events such as a pilot shortage occur from time to time. But these too will pass.
Rather than us all complining that the companies are not delivering lotto-like pay increases perhaps we should be considering which aircraft type is going to be in the greatest demand over the next 10 years and position ourselves into the left hand seat of it. That way we have the best chance of a sustainable roster and income.
I realise that this is beyond the scope of your point but I felt that it was appropriate given the general lack of understanding in the thread.
And yes crewing on many jets is still at 10 crews per aircraft. It is entirely dependent on the route structure, rostering practices and regulatory requirements.
