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Pilot Shortage?

Has any one done the math on what would happen to the airlines’ costs if pilot wages were less stratified at the long end of seniority and fairer all around?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Concerns are raised regarding the fairness and safety implications of the current airline pilot seniority and wage system, particularly the disparity between high-earning long-haul pilots and lower-paid, overworked commuter pilots.
  • Reader experiences underscore the critical importance of pilots thoroughly understanding aircraft hydraulic systems and emergency procedures to handle unexpected malfunctions, like landing gear issues.
  • A senator expresses conditional support for reforming the third-class medical certificate requirement, suggesting that a certification from a pilot's family doctor could alleviate costs and accessibility issues.
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Has any one done the math on what would happen to the airlines’ costs if pilot wages were less stratified at the long end of seniority and fairer all around?

If what I believe to be true actually is, a trans-oceanic pilot takes off once, lands once, knocks down serious coin and flies infrequently. Yet the commuter jocks take off and land three, four, five, or more times a day, need to scramble to get to their assignments (fatigued, like the crew in the Colgan/Buffalo crash, and domestic flights often are delayed because they haven’t shown up yet), get paid like paupers and have lousy work conditions. I’m thinking that, just maybe, the problem might be less corporate and more employee seniority?

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