Lack of pilots? Firstly we are really talking about the USA. There, airlines aren't paying enough to recruit the pilots they need. Own goal, no sympathy. The Japanese, if there is a shortage, haven't done their sums. My understanding of this market is that is so restrictive that you have to start recruiting ab-initios now for your airline in five years time. And if you have to cancel flights, has an alternative method of reducing demand been considered? How about putting up the price and paying pilots more? But in Europe, we still have a glut of flying lemmings. These doe eyed dreamers will pay to work, they'll undercut anyone and be out of a job just as soon as they approach a reasonable level of experience. Not until the supply of hopeless optimists dries up will there ever be a shortage of (inexperienced) pilots.