Is there a shortage of pilots in the commercial aviation industry? If so, how long is that expected to last?

Answer 1

People please, there is a massive pilot shortage on every level of commerical aviation... Pinniacle Airlines, a regional carrier for Northwest is actually canceling flights due to pilot rest issues caused by a pilot shortage. Every major airline has set a date that all pilots on furlough will be recalled and many are hiring. They are lowering requirements and hiring hundreds per year... this is the biggest shortage this country has ever seen in commerical aviation next to during WWII.

Answer 2

There will never be a shortage while people spend their own money to become a pilot. The wages paid to third level airline pilots (and even higher) are absolutely ridiculous.

Many give their time to build hours towing gliders or dropping parachutists. Until its seen as an unattractive job, there will never be a shortage.

Answer 3

No shortage. Minumum hiring hours keep going up and I've been monitoring them in earnest for the last 9 years. I knew an instructor recently who was furloughed after 13 years of service in a major airline. I'm thinking in 8 years or so hiring wil pick back up. That isn't to say there aren't jobs, just expect to CFI for a few years more than you'd initially planned on.

Answer 4

no. there is a glut. since 9/11 airlines have cut flights drastically as air travel first nosedived then picked up. then the fluctuating price of fuel also hit them hard, as did labour, so they are cutting costs where they can, and empty flights are one way to do that.

so no, there is no shortage. and there will be a glut of commercial pilots for the forseeable future.

Answer 5

Probably until they start paying more than minimum wages to pilots.