Severe US Pilot Shortage! Once bitten, Twice shy! Are we going take the bate??
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The point is that if you are American and you fly for EK, QR, FlyDubai and others in the region, returning to the States has become less appealing due to the incredibly slow career progression for those at the bottom of their seniority lists due to Age 65 rule and recent/proposed mergers that will reduce pilot opportunities. The only exception might be those pilots who were furloughed, fled to the ME, and bypassed recall but still hold decent seniority at a major.
So, probably many Americans flying in the ME at least partially interested in this thread. How many would leave a seat on an EK 777 or A380 for a bottom-of-list seat at JetBlue or USAirways with little advancement? Gotta weigh the pros and cons.
So, probably many Americans flying in the ME at least partially interested in this thread. How many would leave a seat on an EK 777 or A380 for a bottom-of-list seat at JetBlue or USAirways with little advancement? Gotta weigh the pros and cons.
Last edited by JuniorMan; 18th Nov 2012 at 18:57.
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Again, the US regionals will suffer because anyone in the regionals with skill, experience and interest will leave for the US majors as slots become available (likely through retirements). But fewer and fewer people will want to fill those low-wage, high-workload regional positions because of the debt/resources required to get to these low paying jobs. The US regionals will need to worry more about the impending pilot shortage. 
Plus, US military looks to be contracting with Obama re-elected and that means fewer US military pilots available for the US majors in the future as well (highly-desirable and high-paying Fedex will probably attract and hire a high percentage of those military pilots
).
Plus, US military looks to be contracting with Obama re-elected and that means fewer US military pilots available for the US majors in the future as well (highly-desirable and high-paying Fedex will probably attract and hire a high percentage of those military pilots
).
Last edited by Iver; 18th Nov 2012 at 20:32.
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I completely agree. I cannot imagine why anyone would leave EK, QR, or EY to join the bottom of a list 12,000 strong at a US legacy. In my opinion, most US legacies will shrink over the next decade, further hampering your career progression stateside. I am currently a seven year F/O with absolutely no chance for upgrade in sight; and if I finally do get in the left seat, I will be a reserve 737 Captain with horrendous QOL for years. Where would a pilot be after seven years at EK? [/QUOTE]
JuniorMan I feel your pain for I am in the same boat as you. Perhaps we have crossed paths.
[/QUOTE]JuniorMan I feel your pain for I am in the same boat as you. Perhaps we have crossed paths.
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sittingidly
Can't quite help yourself can you, always looking for a quick dig at that old colonial power that's left a massive chip on your shoulder.
Get over it.
Harry
Can't quite help yourself can you, always looking for a quick dig at that old colonial power that's left a massive chip on your shoulder.
Get over it.
Harry
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But fewer and fewer people will want to fill those low-wage, high-workload regional positions because of the debt/resources required to get to these low paying jobs. The US regionals will need to worry more about the impending pilot shortage
There is an abundance of pilots with doubtful (not to say fake) CPLs coming out of the subcontinent. Many of them have American or Commonwealth passports and even more have countless relatives all over North America.
They will be happy takers of all cheap seats.
We will just have to adapt to their accents, but there will be no shortage.
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Well said Harry!
Shatting clearly has an inferiority complex when it come to the British as 97.3% of his posts take a dig at said nation!
The sad thing is, that on occasion, his posts do actually have some good points but he then lets himself down completely by making himself look like a thick clown by spouting off about 'Brits'????
What's wrong with you man??
Grow up!!
Shatting clearly has an inferiority complex when it come to the British as 97.3% of his posts take a dig at said nation!
The sad thing is, that on occasion, his posts do actually have some good points but he then lets himself down completely by making himself look like a thick clown by spouting off about 'Brits'????
What's wrong with you man??
Grow up!!
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Americans won't leave the Middle East gigs over money, but rather because they're sick of living/working in the ME and those that do will happily trade in the cash and the rapid career progression for peace of mind of living/working back in the US.
Right or wrong, but we all know grass is always greener elsewhere...
Right or wrong, but we all know grass is always greener elsewhere...
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career progression, just do the math, @DL -13 years to 50% of the entire list, UA 12 yrs, US 8 yrs.
these positions will be filled my regional pilots and some military, others, but the part you are accurate about is no pilots are training to the numbers that will be needed on the bottom end, regardless of the low pay. pilots will always jump in for little money, but not enough are even getting their commercial ratings, not even enough for their ATP and 1500 hours to meet the requirements..
Progression for a 30 year old that has been at a regional for 8 -9 years and get hired by DL, will be sitting well under a good contract and at the top of the seniority before the 60th birthday.
SWA and AT, true, that has slowed way down. pilots could possibly leave places like Jb and other smaller carriers for DL, UA, UPS, etc.
these positions will be filled my regional pilots and some military, others, but the part you are accurate about is no pilots are training to the numbers that will be needed on the bottom end, regardless of the low pay. pilots will always jump in for little money, but not enough are even getting their commercial ratings, not even enough for their ATP and 1500 hours to meet the requirements..
Progression for a 30 year old that has been at a regional for 8 -9 years and get hired by DL, will be sitting well under a good contract and at the top of the seniority before the 60th birthday.
SWA and AT, true, that has slowed way down. pilots could possibly leave places like Jb and other smaller carriers for DL, UA, UPS, etc.
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I agree
That 65 retirement is not seeming to cut it. Doesn't seem as drastic as poeple are telling us. I recently moved back to the US from Japan, and the city I instruct in has over 150 CFI waiting to go. If they will take the low pay is another story. People allways seem to do whatever it takes.
Lets hope they don't get drastic and start paying for their first regional job. Lots of piople did this and got bit one way or another.
Lets hope they don't get drastic and start paying for their first regional job. Lots of piople did this and got bit one way or another.
