Nice thought, but I can't see it. There are tons of IR'd folk gasping for offshore jobs and I reckon Bristow Academy is churning out about 40-50 JAA CPL/IR grads a year.
There's still no shortage of people willing to drop £90,000+ of their (or their parents') money on getting a CPL/IR.
Especially when you consider the amount of student debt just to get a mickey-mouse degree in golf course management/pop music
New poll exposes student debt worries The Journal
Sending little Johnnie to be a pilot doesn't look that expensive. Especially when you consider average graduate starting salary is a mere £20,000 (IF he can get a job).
What is the average graduate starting salary?
Plus... a degree takes 3-4 years of living costs etc. You can get a JAA CPL/IR within 15 months if you try.
I can't see there being a shortage of 'new' pilots. Maybe a shortage of
experienced people with the right hours/type rating. But I think that's always been the case.
Apologies for any thread creep. Mods feel free to move.