Good article that makes some valid points. However, there are a couple with which I would take issue. First, regional pilot wages have made appreciable strides to the positive; still not wonderful but better than the $20K of yesteryear.
And the statement by "a Southwest executive" is laugh-out-loud funny:
"…and even at always-profitable and carefree Southwest Airlines, the challenge of recruiting millennial aviators keeps middle management awake at night. 'The biggest problem,' a Southwest executive told Bloomberg, 'is a general lack of interest in folks pursuing this as a career anymore.' ”
They recently announced a career event where people could sign up online for 400 slots to meet & greet with SWA HR types in KDAL. The sign-up window opened at an announced time...and those 400 slots were gone in less than one minute after the window opened according to a website dealing with airline interview experiences. And by their own admission, their interview success rate is 25-40% while DL's, for example, is ~70+%.
There are airlines that can complain about attracting pilot candidates but SWA sure isn't one of them. Someone has their nose in the air !! ;-)))
How we ruined airline jobs.