Pilot shortage - wall street journal
Join Date: Jun 2008
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What a contrast to other side of pond !
"Unfortunately, your application cannot be taken any further as you exceed the maximum level of flying experience for the Future Pilot Programme.
There may be other roles on our website British Airways that might be of interest to you. Please visit our website to find out more.
Thank you for your interest in this role."
Less is more in EU/UK - JAR CPL/IR not short enough lets give poor (they will be after licence financing) cadets 70 to 90h flying then sim with tie in through MPL !
Thankfully US Public not looking that way - they still appreciate the grey hairs like Sullenberger.
There may be other roles on our website British Airways that might be of interest to you. Please visit our website to find out more.
Thank you for your interest in this role."
Less is more in EU/UK - JAR CPL/IR not short enough lets give poor (they will be after licence financing) cadets 70 to 90h flying then sim with tie in through MPL !
Thankfully US Public not looking that way - they still appreciate the grey hairs like Sullenberger.
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Dunno what's wrong with the 1500 hrs regulation? I think it is one of the best things that has happened in the industry for a long time. I fly with low hour guys every second day and I must say I'm tired of people that fly big aircraft and struggle with a 5 knots crosswind landing. Perhaps because it force me to work 
We've all been there but come on, 5 knots... what's happened with the standard lately?
We've all been there but come on, 5 knots... what's happened with the standard lately?
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There is no shortage of pilots in the USA, and there will be none, either.
There may be less then desired amounts of applicants for low-paying regional jobs, but none of this will affect the majors, which should have no problems finding bodies.
About 50% of all US airline flying is done by regional carriers. The majority of its pilots strive to get to the majors, therefore the majors should experience no problems finding pilots and a steady supply from the regionals.
The regionals however may have a harder time finding willing people to work for 20,000$ a year under a crap contract when the majors start taking more people in.
Aside from a few decent gigs out there, this "career" is as good as dead in the Western world.
There may be less then desired amounts of applicants for low-paying regional jobs, but none of this will affect the majors, which should have no problems finding bodies.
About 50% of all US airline flying is done by regional carriers. The majority of its pilots strive to get to the majors, therefore the majors should experience no problems finding pilots and a steady supply from the regionals.
The regionals however may have a harder time finding willing people to work for 20,000$ a year under a crap contract when the majors start taking more people in.
Aside from a few decent gigs out there, this "career" is as good as dead in the Western world.
Crisis, what crisis
The math in the article does not add up:
60,000 pilots retire by 2025 is 5000 pilots a year.
34,000 ATPL's in 8 years equals 4,500 a year.
A 10 percent increase in supply would cover the shortfall, an issue, but not the end of the world.
There have been shortages before and the airlines dealt with it by doing doing ab intio direct hires. A neighbor's father was an AC pilot. He was a baggage handler in the 50's when they came around asking who want to be a pilot.
The real issue is raising the pay. A few years back I walked into an FBO in Mobile and there were adds taped to the window looking for regional pilots,
250 hrs and an CPL were the listed minimums. But for 18K why would anyone bother?
The 1500 hr rule is the typical "Megans Law" response to the Colgan crash where parents/spouses/siblings feel that unless they get a new law passed they are not dissing the memories of the departed.
Things really get tight regionals will pay more and the majors will start cadet programs, which miraculously will qualify for some sort of waiver.
The new law is good for flight schools etc as it means the can abuse their employees for longer without worrying they will be poached.
60,000 pilots retire by 2025 is 5000 pilots a year.
34,000 ATPL's in 8 years equals 4,500 a year.
A 10 percent increase in supply would cover the shortfall, an issue, but not the end of the world.
There have been shortages before and the airlines dealt with it by doing doing ab intio direct hires. A neighbor's father was an AC pilot. He was a baggage handler in the 50's when they came around asking who want to be a pilot.
The real issue is raising the pay. A few years back I walked into an FBO in Mobile and there were adds taped to the window looking for regional pilots,
250 hrs and an CPL were the listed minimums. But for 18K why would anyone bother?
The 1500 hr rule is the typical "Megans Law" response to the Colgan crash where parents/spouses/siblings feel that unless they get a new law passed they are not dissing the memories of the departed.
Things really get tight regionals will pay more and the majors will start cadet programs, which miraculously will qualify for some sort of waiver.
The new law is good for flight schools etc as it means the can abuse their employees for longer without worrying they will be poached.
