Pilot Shortage? No, It's a Pay Shortage

摘要

The truth about the bogus pilot shortage is out. Increasingly desperate attempts by those who promote this fallacy are inevitably losing ground to the facts. The traveling public, lawmakers and government leaders know the reality: Rock-bottom pay and benefits offered by regional airlines are failing to attract pilots and pushing potential new ones to other professions. When you look at the numbers, it's simply not possible to make the case for a pilot shortage. More than 700 Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) pilots are on furlough in North America. In addition, more than 1,000 qualified airline pilots work abroad at carriers such as Emirates, China Eastern Airlines and Etihad Airways, because these companies offer them stronger compensation and benefits than their U.S. counterparts. I know from talking with them that many of the pilots working overseas would prefer to fly for U.S. airlines if offered appropriate pay and benefits, and stable careers.