Metro Man, What you have failed to divulge is that the age limit has now moved to 65. Even the USALPA have finally accepted the increase. Therefore it’s going to be a few more years before the so called shortage actually bites, by then the cycle might have turned. At the moment there is a shortage of experienced Captains.
There is no shortage of wannabes, when we see airlines paying for endorsement training one can start to assume the shortage has arrived. As long as young guys or even older guys are willing to pay for an endorsement just to get into a jet, the situation will not improve. Terms and conditions are still going south, putting a 400 hour wonder into the right seat is becoming the norm, as long as the guy in the left seat is experienced and competent. Things are getting worse, with experience levels that are required getting lower which means the right seat is easier to fill at no cost to the company because a lot of the Fo’s are self sponsored. The good days are over. I guess it’s better than GA.