I recall some 30-40 years ago when the same thing was said. SO, I became an airline pilot. I had to earn my GI bill by joining the army (why not be an air force pilot? reduction in force after vietnam war).
Saved my money, used GI bill for advanced ratings and college...starved for 9 years as a CFI, check flying pilot (crapy cargo), crummy third rate corporate stuff...3 rotten regionals and finally got to a good , legacy carrier. Promised to make captain there in 5 years, except saw a war in the Gulf, terror scares, airlines shrinking and it took eleven years. Then saw my pension go for pennies on the dollar. Watched as merger policies for major pilot union favor someone with 3 years airline experience over someone with 20 yyears!
Yeah, a shortage is coming round the corner...wish I had taken that job at apple computer in 1982...I would be a millionaire by now.