Pilot Shortage? Fact or Fallacy?
Nov 15, 2012, 6:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Pilot Shortage? Fact or Fallacy?
A recent Wall Street Journal story has everybody talking about a supposed looming shortage of airline pilots.
As the pundits have it, America's airlines are running out of pilots.
But is this true?
The answer is yes and no. Mostly no.
I've got a slightly different take than most on the subject, in a new blog published in ASK THE PILOT.
Click here for the story:
http://www.askthepilot.com
- PS
As the pundits have it, America's airlines are running out of pilots.
But is this true?
The answer is yes and no. Mostly no.
I've got a slightly different take than most on the subject, in a new blog published in ASK THE PILOT.
Click here for the story:
http://www.askthepilot.com
- PS
Nov 16, 2012, 12:06 pm
#2
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The pilot's that I've talked to seem to think it is true, older pilots are going to have to retire soon and kids aren't becoming pilots anymore because the job isn't as lucrative as it used to be and the job security isn't what it once was.
Nov 16, 2012, 11:38 pm
#4
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My short answer - Shiny Jet Syndrom will always be alive and well. There will be no shortgage of desperate pilots willing to live a terrible lifestyle for $20,000 a year. "I get PAID to FLY!!!!!"
Nov 19, 2012, 11:48 am
#5
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Nov 20, 2012, 4:18 am
#7
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It is interesting how so many issues are black and white to you. It seems like nothing is complicated or nuanced for you. From what I have read, actual pilots and labor economists say that the "pilot shortage" story is mostly a myth but it's a little more complicated than that. Maybe you oversimplify? Also, while your assertion regarding rising salaries at the bottom end makes sense, [removed off-topic personal characterization]
Last edited by cblaisd; Nov 22, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Nov 20, 2012, 8:03 am
#8
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If you're an unemployed pilot looking for a high-paying piloting job near your location in the US then there is no pilot shortage.
If you're an airline recruiter looking for well qualified applicants with good experience to fly for relatively low wages then there is a severe shortage.
Back in the early 1990s it took 2000 to 3000 hours to be competitive for a job at a regional airline flying turboprops. Now pilots are getting hired to fly regional jets with as little as 500 hours. That certainly indicates that there is a lower supply of pilots willing to take these entry-level airline jobs now than there was then. It will be interesting to see what happens with the 1500 minimum going into effect.
OTOH, highly qualified and experienced US pilots are more frequently going overseas, mostly to Asia and the Middle East, for high-paying jobs flying top equipment because they can't find similar pay in the US.
Nov 20, 2012, 1:51 pm
#9
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Nov 22, 2012, 1:34 pm
#11
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Folks, those of you who have chosen to take this thread off-topic or make it personal will find, if it happens again, that you may have lost your FlyerTalk privileges for awhile.
A word to the wise.
If you want to engage in personal attacks, please find a different IBB.
cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News
A word to the wise.
If you want to engage in personal attacks, please find a different IBB.
cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News
Last edited by cblaisd; Nov 22, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Nov 22, 2012, 8:34 pm
#12
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If you look at who is buying the big aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, you know where the growth is occurring. Why wouldn't a pilot fly for EK, QR, or EY? The airlines might have to start paying more, even to senior pilots. It's just as easy for n American to fly for EK as it is to fly for AA. This is one job whose market is truly global.
Nov 30, 2012, 6:43 pm
#13
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As the author of the article above, I'm afraid that you're probably right.
Pilots have done this to themselves as much as anybody has done it TO them.
- Patrick Smith
Dec 2, 2012, 11:45 pm
#14
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This is not true....
Its the power of corporate over individual.
flying is something people will learn to do as a hobby because they enjoy it.
There are only so many pilots slots vs those who can fly.
The companies set the wage scale which then forces people to choose...do they want to go into a career earning a pitance early on only to possibly get rewarded 20 years from now.
Its the same mechanism that sets teachers pay way below what it should be if you want to attract the best of the best.
Now the potential pilots are entering the field if its their dream or they have no other options. those with intelligence and other skills are opting to go with better paying jobs early on.
The other factor in this is when it comes time to get promoted to the well paying job tracks they are going to be in competition with retired AF pilots who will likely get jobs over them.
With the contracting out of commuter route the airlines have done may not be felt now but will be an issue 15-20 years from now when you dont have the quality of pilots the airlines used to have.
Dec 3, 2012, 1:51 am
#15
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This is not true....
Its the power of corporate over individual.
flying is something people will learn to do as a hobby because they enjoy it.
There are only so many pilots slots vs those who can fly.
The companies set the wage scale which then forces people to choose...do they want to go into a career earning a pitance early on only to possibly get rewarded 20 years from now.
Its the same mechanism that sets teachers pay way below what it should be if you want to attract the best of the best.
Now the potential pilots are entering the field if its their dream or they have no other options. those with intelligence and other skills are opting to go with better paying jobs early on.
The other factor in this is when it comes time to get promoted to the well paying job tracks they are going to be in competition with retired AF pilots who will likely get jobs over them.
With the contracting out of commuter route the airlines have done may not be felt now but will be an issue 15-20 years from now when you dont have the quality of pilots the airlines used to have.
Its the power of corporate over individual.
flying is something people will learn to do as a hobby because they enjoy it.
There are only so many pilots slots vs those who can fly.
The companies set the wage scale which then forces people to choose...do they want to go into a career earning a pitance early on only to possibly get rewarded 20 years from now.
Its the same mechanism that sets teachers pay way below what it should be if you want to attract the best of the best.
Now the potential pilots are entering the field if its their dream or they have no other options. those with intelligence and other skills are opting to go with better paying jobs early on.
The other factor in this is when it comes time to get promoted to the well paying job tracks they are going to be in competition with retired AF pilots who will likely get jobs over them.
With the contracting out of commuter route the airlines have done may not be felt now but will be an issue 15-20 years from now when you dont have the quality of pilots the airlines used to have.