How many commerical airline pilots in North America?

[Porch]

...Too many is not an answer! Porch

 

[PurpleTail]

That is kind of a broad question...could be a little more specific? Legacy, LCC, cargo, all combined? What is your definition of 'commercial pilot'??

I'd ballpark 60-70k.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Last time I was bored enough to look it up, there were 120k or so ATP's in the country, so I would guess 60k or so active and the rest retired types or corporate types.

Last ten years or so the US has stayed right around 600,000 total pilots including private through ATP.

 

[Porch]

Ok....

Legacy, LCC, & 121 cargo...

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Legacy, LCC, & 121 cargo...

The FAA does not keep a database of only those pilots, other than maybe calling ALPA, the Teamsters, SWA pilot group, and any other airline Unions to get the #'s on their memberships I do not know of any place to get an exact number of active 121 pilots.

 

[LearLove]

Legacy, LCC, & 121 cargo...

I can't remember my source but I recall reading the number of 121 pilot in the US to be in the 50,000 ballpark. If I'm not mistaken I think this came from ALPA.org or alpa's "Airline Pilot" mag. This was circa 2001 or so.

 

[LearLove]

this is from the main page of the ALPA site to give you an idea of what ALPA represents:

"The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents 62,000 pilots who fly for 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations. "

 

[Porch]

....

Thanks for the info!...Just curious. P0rch...Flyin high for the Lord

 

[Networ-King]

this is from the main page of the ALPA site to give you an idea of what ALPA represents:

"The Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents 62,000 pilots who fly for 39 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Founded in 1931, the Association is chartered by the AFL-CIO and the Canadian Labour Congress. Known internationally as US-ALPA, it is a member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilot Associations. "

Now just add up....

APA<--American
IPA<--UPS
SWAPA<--Don't remember who they Represent
NPA <--Airtran
Teamsters <--NetJets
OAL<--CAT/Omni/Falcon Air/RIA/Xtra Airways/North American/Miami Air....

ahh heck just go to airlinepilotpay.com and check out how many pilots for each separate company.

 

[FN FAL]

What about Jet Blue pilots?

 

[Ty Webb]

Just go to http://airlinepilotcentral.com/ and add 'em up.

Funny thing is that ten years ago, the vast majority of airline pilot jobs were at the majors, and the regionals were a fraction of the total. I'll bet if you add them up now, the ratio has shifted the other way. Think about THAT the next time you hop in your shiny new RJ with 70 seats that you're flying for 50 seat wages "for growth".



.

 

[Thedude]

AOPA used to publish the numbers of people with certificates and current medicals. It was broken down by private, commerical and ATP and i believe it even broke it down by sex. I haven't seen the numbers in quite some time but then again I haven't been looking either

 

[SWA/FO]

200,000 - commercial pilots. Banner towing - 777 Capt.

 

[EMB Skillz]

...Too many is not an answer! Porch

Easy, the answer is ONE.....me!

All the rest of you punks wish you had SKILLZ!

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Just go to http://airlinepilotcentral.com/ and add 'em up.

Funny thing is that ten years ago, the vast majority of airline pilot jobs were at the majors, and the regionals were a fraction of the total. I'll bet if you add them up now, the ratio has shifted the other way. Think about THAT the next time you hop in your shiny new RJ with 70 seats that you're flying for 50 seat wages "for growth".



.

The cost of fuel will basically destroy the 50 seat market and the 70 seaters have limited scope. Over the next five years over half of the regional pilot base will be on the street due to this fact.

 

[EMB Skillz]

The cost of fuel will basically destroy the 50 seat market and the 70 seaters have limited scope. Over the next five years over half of the regional pilot base will be on the street due to this fact.

OR, there will be no more domestic "mainline". It will all be ERJs and EMBs