Hi!
There is a shortage of experienced pilots:
-Delta didn't get anywhere near the number of military applicants they were expecting.
-SWA lowered their requirements from 1300 to 1000
-UAL expected a LOT more applicants:
]...word around the DEN training center (called "TK" by UA peeps) is that there were only 600 apps after the first 3 days - they were expecting 3000+.
-Almost all Asian carriers are hiring DECs because they have to. My buddy was told he qualified for -777 DEC WITHOUT ANY widebody, heavy, or oceanic experience
-Kalitta (747s) just raised their pay 40% and went to Home Basing
-USA 3000 lowered their mins from 5,000 TT to 4,000 TT
-Emirates deleted their max age restriction for applicants, and raised their retirement age to 65.
-JAR (Europe) is examining age 70 and is relaxing their licensing standards
There is a MASSIVE shortage of inexperienced pilots:
-ALL the regional US airlines have drastically lowered their mins, some don't have ANY hourly mins
-Some regionals are hiring guys WITHOUT their Commercial license (I had my ATP, the highest US rating 10 years ago and the Regionals said I was UNQUALIFIED)
-Most regionals are cancelling flights left and right because of a shortage of crews
-Many regionals are increasing pay, paying signing bonuses and even asking their unions for MORE PAY for new hires in a desperate attempt to recruit pilots.
cliff
KLRD