It's not ALL about hrs when it comes to the RFDS. Sure they have high mins due at times because of certain contractual requirements (out of RFDS hands) it's whether the candidate can actually fly as expected of a 2000+ hr pilot with the knowledge that goes with that level of experience. You can fly around all day in a twin in VMC with A/P on (that ain't rocket science) but when it comes to hand flying with an eng failed at night (Sim chk) is when the men from the boys are filtered out. It's not meant to be a 'cull' or make anyone feel awful it's to make sure that when the sh1t hits the fan you want the very best behind the wheel & that only comes from raw experience done the hard way
Am sure the CP has a cabinet full of CV's but few make it all the way thru to an offer, hrs is just part of it.
There will always be a turn over within the RFDS. Once considered a job for life that's no longer the case now that contracts form part of the RFDS work.
You won't however find a better more rewarding job than an RFDS pilot. It's SP ops but a huge team effort!
Some of the most challenging & rewarding flying I've ever done has been with this crowd, the current crew are awesome!
Anyway to the subject heading..................not so much about a pilot shortage but a shortage of pilots, the right ones for the jobs vacant:-)
Wmk2