Yeah there is a pilot shortage.
A decade of bankruptcies squeezing pilot pay down. A decade of outsourcing to the regionals, where pilots start at $25,000/ year and $100K in debt. A decade of little movement and hiring, so no hope for pay raises.
And the folks running airlines, those who made the jobs pay a lot less, outsourced what they could, and removed advancement opportunities, are left scratching their heads why so few people were willing to go over $100K in debt for a job that makes less than a Panera Bread associate
From 2002-2003, my pay was cut by 65%. Not a typo, not a mistake. A 42% cut in wage rate across the contract, coupled with moving from 747 FO to A320 FO and finalized by a loss of my flying to go on reserve (for a lower number of hours than typical).
People looked at my situation and shook their heads. Who would want that? I made less in 2004 as an airline pilot for United than I had as a Navy Lieutenant in 1994, ten years prior.
It was so unattractive that young folks stayed away. I would have too, had my crystal ball been better. People remained on active duty, or pursued other, more lucrative careers, like those in the hotel service or fast food industry...Panera looks pretty good by comparison...
And everyone is shocked, shocked!, that there is a pilot shortage?
OK...
A decade of bankruptcies squeezing pilot pay down. A decade of outsourcing to the regionals, where pilots start at $25,000/ year and $100K in debt. A decade of little movement and hiring, so no hope for pay raises.
And the folks running airlines, those who made the jobs pay a lot less, outsourced what they could, and removed advancement opportunities, are left scratching their heads why so few people were willing to go over $100K in debt for a job that makes less than a Panera Bread associate
From 2002-2003, my pay was cut by 65%. Not a typo, not a mistake. A 42% cut in wage rate across the contract, coupled with moving from 747 FO to A320 FO and finalized by a loss of my flying to go on reserve (for a lower number of hours than typical).
People looked at my situation and shook their heads. Who would want that? I made less in 2004 as an airline pilot for United than I had as a Navy Lieutenant in 1994, ten years prior.
It was so unattractive that young folks stayed away. I would have too, had my crystal ball been better. People remained on active duty, or pursued other, more lucrative careers, like those in the hotel service or fast food industry...Panera looks pretty good by comparison...
And everyone is shocked, shocked!, that there is a pilot shortage?
OK...
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