Is There a shortage of commercial pilots????

Answer 1

There is a shortage of commercial private jet pilots right now (good ones with the appropriate experience.) I talk with private jet operators daily and this is one of their largest problems right now.

Answer 2

No. The "pilot shortage" has been hyped by large flight schools since the '60s in an attempt to attract new students, usually in ads with an airliner taking off from Hawaii in the background, intimating that a person who doesn't know a prop from a tailwheel will be flying airliners and making big bucks in 6 months if they sign up (and spend a lot of money) with that school. The reality is that there has not been a "pilot shortage" since the '50s, and such a shortage is not likely to develop. Consider this: there are currently almost 600,000 active certificated pilots in the U.S., with at least half holding a Commercial or ATP certificate, but nowhere near that number of pilot jobs. The T-shirt proclaiming "Will fly for food" is based in reality.

BTW, the comment regarding a "shortage" of pilots for bizjet operators is partially true, if they add the statement that they are looking for experienced, qualified pilots with enough time to satisfy their insurance companies AND will work for the pittance they offer as wages. I have several friends that work for NetJets and other fractional biz-jet operators who have asked me to apply for a pilot slot, but I can't live on the pay they offer. Thanks, I'll keep on running my business and fly my own plane when and where I want, instead of driving a bizjet around and schlepping bags for people riding in the back.

BTW, if you're asking because you saw one of those ads for flight schools claiming a current or projected "pilot shortage," and guaranteeing a job after you complete the curriculum, be aware that they will offer you a job as a flight instructor (earning maybe $6-10 per flight hour, not the number of hours your work), or a job working at their scheduling desk, or doing janitorial services, etc. Also, be aware that a guarantee of an interview with an airline is NOT a guarantee of a job, or even an interview for a pilot position. Do your research thoroughly as to the real requirements for obtaining a flying job if that is your only goal in regard to flight training. Also, consider the financial aspects: many large flight training operations want payment of $60,000 to $100,000 up front, non-refundable, and will offer you a starvation job as a flight instructor (most are lucky to make more than $12,000 to $15,000 per year as full-time instructors), and you won't be able to even be considered for a regional airline job until you have around 1,200 to 1,500 hours of PIC time, with a heavy dose of multi-engine time (most start at $15,000 to $20,000 per year), and you wont get a seat with a major airline until you have built up 2,000 to 4,000 hours, and the first couple years pay will be in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. The days of airline pilots making $100,000+ are pretty much in the past, especially for those hiring on now - they won't get to the left seat of a plane for quite a few years, and the new pay structures don't allow attainment of such pay levels.

Answer 3

310 Pilot, tell that to Pinnacle Airlines... they have canceled their schedule for the entire month of April to my home airport, ALO due to pilot shortage... As they have I would guess with a few other markets... Mesaba has to make up for the traffic... Also, can you recall a time in recent history that every airline has a date for recalling every furloughed pilot... NO... The airlines are barely keeping up with demand... and some arent... but its the corporate flight departments that are really struggling right now...

Answer 4

there's going to be a need for 17,000 pilots a year for the next 10 yrs