Pilot Shortage or Here We Go Again

[bart]

Three quarter to half to full page ads for flight schools in Flying this month decrying the coming pilot shortage. Right seat direct in 250 hours, yeah right. (I guess they do at GS since they buy the seat).

To pay the expense of running these ads there must NOT be a shortage of people wanting to shell out $30K to these guys.

Just thought everyone should know - get in now to beat the rush when the hiring boom starts in 3 or 4 or 5 or so years.

 

[Treme]

pilot shortage

There was a pilot shortage for all of 6 months in 1999 when all of the regionals were hiring guys with 300, 400, 500 hours.

Then all of the sudden there were a surplus of pilots again.

 

[banned username 2]

Re: pilot shortage

There was a pilot shortage for all of 6 months in 1999 when all of the regionals were hiring guys with 300, 400, 500 hours.

Then all of the sudden there were a surplus of pilots again.

For every 6 month shortage there is at least a 6 year surplus...

 

[2000flyer]

Re: Re: pilot shortage

For every 6 month shortage there is at least a 6 year surplus...

Amen brother!

Wasn't there a post over on the fracs board saying NetJets had 8000 applications on file? Shortage my a**!

 

[pilotyip]

never a shortage

Never is never a shortage of pilots there is always guys looking for flying jobs, but when hiring cranks up there is a shortage of experience. The shortage went on beyond 1999. By the year 2000 we were hiring helo pilots with 100 hours of C-150 time, because they were the most qualified pilots available. We liked Army and Marine helo pilots because they were easy to train and had no problem transistioning to jets. In the summer and fall 1/2 the pilots we hired had another job before their class started, things changed in the next year.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

pilot shortage

I didn't think of this, but some one else said there has been a pilot surplus since the first airplane. wilbur+orville=2 pilots, one airplane...

 

[LearLove]

"I didn't think of this, but some one else said there has been a pilot surplus since the first airplane. wilbur+orville=2 pilots, one airplane.."

Yep, pilotadjuster pretty much summed it up and like pilotyip said, "shortage of experience", yes at times, but there never was, is or will be a "pilot shortage".

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: pilot shortage

...some one else said there has been a pilot surplus since the first airplane. Wilbur + Orville = 2 pilots, one airplane...

LMAO!

When dad was a chief pilot at a small DC-9/MD-80 outfit, he had to contend with a stack of applications as long as your leg to fill a handful of positions. How does someone weed through a pile like that? Well for starters, he threw out any application addressed to "Mister" chief pilot. He figured if someone doesn't know that a C.P. should be addressed as "Captain" in a formal setting, they're not ready for the airlines.

Take that as a warning, all you guys rushing to fill the current pilot shortage!

 

[Dieterly]

When dad was a chief pilot at a small DC-9/MD-80 outfit

Was that the roach outfit out of Largo, FL?

 

[MetroSheriff]

Deiterly, gracious and overflowing with tact...as always.

 

[jbDC9]

Re: Re: pilot shortage

LMAO!
Well for starters, he threw out any application addressed to "Mister" chief pilot. He figured if someone doesn't know that a C.P. should be addressed as "Captain" in a formal setting, they're not ready for the airlines.

No offense intended, but did Dad have an ego trip going? What's wrong with being called Mr.? I dunno, but being adressed as "Captain" all the times sounds kinda like doctors insisting on using "Dr." in front of their names anytime it comes up. Even goobers with a PhD in underwater basket weaving like to be called "Dr. Goober" it seems.

Seems a bit arrogant and silly to me... or maybe I should start referring to myself as "First Officer Goober", sounds almost as good as Captain, and I've worked pretty hard to get here, so I'm pretty sure I've earned the title...

just an opinion, of course!

 

[TurboS7]

I retire in 12 years, since I work all the OT that I can get and work on my days off it will take two of you to replace me. Have fun.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: Re: Re: pilot shortage

...but did Dad have an ego trip going?

Bear in mind, he was sifting through 3,000 applications to fill ten slots. Where would you start?

There's more to getting an airline job than saying, "I've got ____ hours; gimme a job." There's often etiquette involved, too.

And the intro on that cover letter is part of it!

 

[banned username 2]

Deiterly, gracious and overflowing with tact...as always.

What do you expect from this Goober...

 

[WrightAvia]

Hoooo Haaaa!

I always love it when you have to address someone as Mr. and Mrs. Dr Schieblestien. It's like, would you ever have to address a 121 captain and his wife as Mr. and Mrs. Captain Milquetoast the Third? I mean I wouldn't want to wonder about goofing up the cover letter.

 

[Typhoon1244]

...would you ever have to address a 121 captain and his wife as Mr. and Mrs. Captain Milquetoast the Third?

I guess I'm dense. When did we start talking about addressing Part 121 captains?

I thought it was a no-brainer...if you're sending a formal letter to a chief pilot you're hoping will hire you, you call him/her "Captain," right? Am I really the only person here who believes in that?

 

[jbDC9]

Mr. and Mrs. Captain Milquetoast the Third?

mmmm, milk and toast, my favorites! Makes me kinda hungry.... I'll have my toast burned, no crusts, please.

 

[bobbysamd]

100-year-old pilot shortage

I didn't think of this, but some one else said there has been a pilot surplus since the first airplane. wilbur+orville=2 pilots, one airplane...

Actually, the Flyer domicile was fully staffed and was not taking applications. I recall reading recently that Wilbur and Orville alternated legs that day.

I also read sometime back that for several months in the '60s there may have been a true pilot shortage. I recall reading that some airlines where hiring pilots with just Privates and training them. One might have been Rick Dubinsky of United fame. That did not last too long, however.

Actually, now is a good time to train. Schools are looking for students and instructors are looking for work. Chances are, you will get more inidividualized attention. I do like Bart's comment, though, about preparing for the hiring boom that will come in four to five years.

I would address a letter to the Chief Pilot of an airline as "Captain." It really is proper etiquette. There are some flight schools where the chief flight instructor's title is Chief Pilot. There, you address that person as Mr. or Ms. You'll look like a fool if you address that person as Captain - although they do in Europe sometimes.

 

[Typhoon1244]

Re: 100-year-old pilot shortage

There are some flight schools where the chief flight instructor's title is Chief Pilot. You'll look like a fool if you address that person as Captain...

You've obviously never visited FlightSafety!

 

[Timebuilder]

I'd address the letter to "Captain Smith", and if he calls you, then take his lead.

For example, "Hello John, this is Joe Smith from Big Air".

you: "Hello, Joe, I've been hoping you'd call"

etc.

But start out with "Captain Smith" on the letter. If he says "This is Captain Smith" when he calls, keep it formal and brief, and say "Thank you for calling, Captain".

This may hapen if Joe is a retired military offficer.

Good luck.