I have kept old aviation magazines and publications since... 50 years ago...
Name them: Interavia, Aviation Magazine, Flight, Aviation Week...
I kept some, with interesting articles or pictures...
And I read the wanted ads and advertisements published back then...
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A
pilot shortage exists since approximately early 1974
(According to flight colleges, aviation "academies" and air "universities")
In my early days (1960s), there were just "pilot schools"...
Back then, it took US$5,000 to get a CPL+IR to qualify for any airline.
Multiengine rating... not needed then...
I recall my furlough in NOV 1973, due to the oil crisis (October War)
Had to go overseas (Middle East) to find a job, despite 707 and 727 experience...
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What I recall as
shortage was mostly in pilot trainees...
So, most "colleges, academies and universities" needed to advertise "shortages"
(of trainees, but that, they did not specify)...
Especially now that you need to spend $100,000.
And Daddy will offer you a B-737 type rating for your 18th birthday...
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The only shortage I know, is decent new-hire salaries among most airlines...
So - yes...
there is a pilot shortage since 1974...
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Happy contrails