NO PILOT SHORTAGE SAYS ALPA
The Air Line Pilots Association says there is no pilot shortage, but instead is just a shortage of talent in the executive suites of the airlines. The union is particularly focused on upending Republic Airways’ attempt to gain an exemption to the 1500-hour experience minimum for new airline pilots for graduates of its in-house training program. Republic wants its students to get the same consideration as military pilots, who only need 750 hours to become first officers. ALPA also claims the pilot training pipeline is robust and pumping out more ATPs than ever. “So, although we don’t have a pilot shortage, we do have a shortage of airline executives willing to stand by their business decisions to cut air service and be upfront about their intentions to skirt safety rules and hire inexperienced workers for less pay,” the union said.
