Originally Posted by
gbotley
Speedbird148,
There's a substantial amount of trainees coming through this place right now and any delays are not only attributed to start dates, but other phases in addition to type ratings. As an example, Whitetail cadets coming out the end and securing jobs at easyJet are being told to expect Type Ratings in the Spring. Demand, which we know is high, and associated capacity for the deliverance aren't totally marrying at the moment. L3 has brick and mortar expansion plans both in Hamilton and back in the UK over the next 12 months so that may well go a way to reducing the initial wait. For example, the new type rating centre in London.
MPL delays however could be attributed to an airline spacing out the dates trainees would eventually be line ready.
Sorry, I just don't get it. Where is there a demand for pilots other than experienced FO's and/or captains?; and there's a lot of them on the job market at the present time. I was in Frankfurt earlier this week speaking with some HR people from well known European airlines and they are saying the pilot shortage is a myth, dreamt up by greedy ATO's, the likes of L3 et al.