Current State of The Pilot Shortage 2023

Hey Guys! Today I'm here to chat about the current state of the pilot shortage. I'll be sharing some of my opinions on the state of aviation and what you can expect when beginning your pilot journey. If you are worried about the longevity of the shortage, or whether you should start your training, this is the video for you! If you have any additional insights or information feel free to leave them below! I hope I encouraged you to pursue your aviation dreams!

[@starlightranch3101]

I'm 47 and just started my career in aviation. Its never to late and you just have to put the hard work in to make it happen.

[@njbpaul]

That's good. I'm that age and chasing my child hood dream to be a pilot. Thanks for saying that

[@aviatormike]

Agreed ! Hope to see you on the flight deck one day :)

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

Love it. I'm 47 and have been established in my current career for the past 14 years. I have had thoughts of switching careers and going for the childhood dream career in aviation but afraid it's too late. Currently, I have my ppl with 200 hours and working on my instrument rating.

[@starlightranch3101]

@@ahmadsamadzai8255 go for it. It is never to late and this is the best time to get into aviation.

[@wesjones4904]

Rock on! I'm right here with you. 40 and just started a professional pilot program to go from zero hours to CFII and multi-engine. My goal is 1500hrs in 2 years.

[@dillyyman8513]

I’m 25 and just took my discovery ride. I’m getting ready to schedule a medical 1 exam. I’m doing my training at a small academy here in Clarksville Tennessee. My goal is to go commercial. One of my fears is that I’ll get through all of this training and by the time I hit 1500+ hours I won’t be able to find work due to all the people doing what I’m doing. It’s a lot of money to invest and I’m worried I won’t be able to find work to be able to pay it back. I don’t exactly have the option to not have debt at the moment. What is your opinion on this?

[@TheGoat-sv6sw]

i don’t think the shortage will be over by time you’re done, however, I do more recommend you go to an accelerated program, training at a small academy will take significantly longer than going through an accelerated part 141. For example if you go ATP(they have schools are over the nation) you’ll go from zero experience to CFI in a year where they will usually give you a job right there to build your time to ATP minimums

[@dracolich345]

YOU BE AIIGHT JUST FINISH! 😊 many won't!

[@TrampConnoisseur]

I get the shortage, but if they want more kids to become pilots they need to somehow make the training cheaper and more accessible. It’s ridiculously expensive, also the hour requirements need to be lowered by the FAA. Just my irrelevant two cents from someone who’s on this journey currently.

[@JonWrightMusic]

Great video! I’m in my 30s and preparing to make a career change to pursue my childhood dream of being a pilot, so this is encouraging

[@1marclyn]

I’m 31 do it and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made soon to be a CFI and building hours

[@aviatormike]

So Happy I was able to encourage, Now is the time, hope to see you in the skies !

[@RashardHarvey]

I’m 32 soon to be 33 and will be starting the United Aviate Academy. Def has been a childhood dream of mine

[@jay-nb6uk]

i'm in the same boat as you! currently 34 and making a career change. i've always wanted to be a pilot and finally going to make it a thing.

[@bigtdriver]

Good luck on that endeavor

[@shoyugod]

Great video. Just want to say you're not taking into account that the airline industry will more than likely keep expanding as a whole. So it might seem like a crowded bunch of junior FOs but in 10, 20 or 30 years that crowded bunch will be a much smaller proportion of the overall number of pilots as the business of aviation grows. The world population might hit 10 billion people in 2050. Yesterday was the best time to become a pilot and today is the second best time.

[@aviatormike]

Love this point of view, this is very true, thanks for watching

[@LordBagdanoff]

Many airlines can’t cope with the influx of passengers already

[@topofthegreen]

No there is no pilot shortage, the schools are maxed out, and we haven't factored in the economic downturn. It's an expensive gamble.

[@kylebrent637]

Thank you for this video. I’m currently in manufacturing at Rolls Royce Engine co here in Indy, and I am pressing hard to become a pilot!! One thing that does concern me is having 15 years here at 36 and wanting to pursue my life long dream as an airline pilot.. it is a heavy sacrifice to make. But I’m pro pilot at heart. I’m definitely surrounding myself with so many of my friends and people I know or who are referenced to me that are FO’s or captains and they all have been so supportive! I am just praying about it and taking that big leap of faith! You’ve helped to inspire that, and if there is more info I’m all ears! Thanks again!

[@ryangors9981]

Just about the same boat Kyle. But been at LabCorp Indy for 6 years and at 31. Definitely is taking a whole different set of courage to make decisions for a drastic career change. Best of luck to you!

[@EscapeTheMatrix1997]

I dropped out of my last flight school because of the cost and also the difficulty of learning to fly. It's still my dream job to fly a Boeing jet and I don't want to give up, but for now I just want to fly for fun and see where aviation takes me.

[@vincentalakija5515]

What do you mean by difficulty of learning to fly?

[@odyshopody9387]

I walked away from aviation years ago for a career in public transportation. When I started flying back in the 80's it was relatively cheap. It cost me $40 an hour for a plane and instructor! I did get my private, then an A&P and eventually a bachelors degree from Embry Riddle University. By then it was the early 90's and with a family and the poor pay for beginning pilots I took a job at a transit agency. That job has given me a pretty good life, but there will always be a part of me that wants to fly again!

[@mikehunt7481]

gonna take my commercial check ride in a couple months. i wanna do anything but CFI but i neglected networking and i’ll pay the price for it

[@aviatormike]

You’ll realize it’s never too late to network my friend !

[@factsartanddrawing1416]

If there is really Pilot shortage. Then it wouldn't cost 100k. They should have to reduce cost.

[@PeeGee137]

I'm 51 and considering retiring from my current career, am I crazy for wanting to become an airline pilot? I've always wanted to fly, but became a father right after the military. Now the kids are grown and I'm ready for a new career.

[@aviatormike]

You are not crazy, it is very possible my friend. My closest mentor is doing the same thing and he just got hired by a regional!

[@ahmadsamadzai8255]

God I've been thinking of doing the same. I'm 47 and thought it may be too late. I have my ppl with 200 hrs under me and working on my instrument rating.

[@tsutiko4740]

You are not crazy and considering pilot mandatory retirement is 65 you have 14 years to chase your dream

[@tsutiko4740]

And if you choose the corporate business pilot world you don’t have to worry about mandatory retirement

[@edroman2042]

If your crazy then I'm even crazier. I'm about to turn 56 and starting an accelerated training in a month or so. I should be able to make it to the regional and possibly even majors but you have way more time than I do. Follow your dream I'll be doing the same. You can do this!!!✈✈✈

[@thetruthsayer8347]

You are very articulate.

[@aviatormike]

Thank you so much!!

[@skyzabay]

The one thing you don't mention is the impact on the shortage of pilots dead or sidelined due to the State injectables?

[@topofthegreen]

There is no pilot shortage, unless you ask a flight school.

[@cutliss]

Exactly. I don’t buy the shortage crap. Southwest reported that they exceeded their pilot hiring expectations last year.

[@PylotGuy]

@@cutliss Southwest ? The same company that just had to cancel 2,300 flights due to lack of pilots ? Lol

[@JH-qqqqqiim]

I personally know a captain/check airman at Southwest and yes there is absolutely a shortage. He just trained a new FO that had zero PIC time. They hired him from the right seat of a 135 operator. It’s insane

[@Stimpy757]

Then why are regionals paying such high wages? Supply & demand. The supply is low and the demand is high.

[@vpanzerjager]

17 here, 18 in August 🇬🇧, currently in school yet I want to chase my dreams of becoming a pilot. It’s alot of money to invest and alot of effoet but i’m hoping it will pay off because it’s my dream. I want my office to be in the sky 🌌

[@MBT06]

@Michael Colley So should I even become a pilot if there will be no shortage in the future? I will be starting next near for PPL etc, but from you it seems there will be same pay due to more applicants.

[@semi-chubber2388]

This “shortage” isn’t a result of the pandemic. I have been an airline pilot for 25 years. There has never been a shortage of interested candidates. There is a shortage in pay. The pay coming up is what brought the influx of new pilots. The supply and demand of pilots is all pay related.

[@dmpotts93]

Hey man I’m 30 yr old and been a truck driver for 5 years looking to change careers I’m also located in central jersey I would love to meet just pick your brain for a min. I been doing research and still have so many question

[@PrivelegedPilots]

ur worried ab growing comp but you forgetting to account for a growing industry. internet expands, social media expands, travel becomes more accessible, airlines continue to grow.

[@dwightvahl6455]

More like $150,000. $100,000 is way too conservative

[@UnbeatenPath1]

If you want to be a legacy pilot and start now, you're gonna miss the wave and be junior for a very long time. Legacies are hiring 2000 plus pilots a year right now. Thats a lot of people above you that were hired in a short time which means until they retire you have all those above you

[@pilotbsinthesky3443]

One stat I cannot find anywhere is the % of female or male pilots that quit the industry as soon as they start having kids. I know a few that stopped because it was too hard on family life. Really would love to see this info if anyone can provide. Would love to see by sex and age. Good Vid

[@code_man69]

im currently 19 on my first solo in a cessna 152, plans to make it into regional like skywest than delta or united

[@binkk2931]

ill see you there brother

[@nyrubin]

Wait time for classes are any where from a instantly to a year away for first officers. No pay during the wait time. That’s also something to take into consideration.

[@njbpaul]

Thanks for posting this video. I think 1500hrs rule to get to the airlines is probably the biggest factor for the pilot shortage in my opinion. It requires a lot of time and $$$ to get to 1500hrs . Most people see the requirements and say it's not worth it for the pay in return. one has to really love flying first. Does it really need to be that high to be a safe pilot? I heard in Europe 1500hrs is not required to get to the Airlines. Maybe it's time for the FAA to revise this rule.

[@rapinncapin123]

Good point

[@xacute2937]

1500 hours is the best thing to happen to US Pilots.

[@njbpaul]

@@xacute2937 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWfGZHiEp8R2iK8

[@njbpaul]

@@xacute2937 it's one's opinion. They could have made it 3000hrs if they wanted too. It Doesn't mean you are a better pilot at 3000hrs is my point.. would it really means is you are going to spend more$$ at the end of the day

[@mikehunt7481]

the airlines are lobbying in congress to lower the 1500 ATP rule. i don’t see it happening but it’s worth noting they’re also beginning to lobby for single pilot operations at the 121 level👀

[@Evans17130]

Great Video! Looking to start around late 2024 or early 2025 as I need to finish school first. Do you think that's a bit too late to hitch onto the pilot shortage problem.

[@aviatormike]

It’s never too late, we have about 10 years of retirements coming up and more people are flying every year !

[@benjaminnetanyahu2116]

Please will I be jobless here in Africa after training?

[@baldemar2102]

Very cool, very very interesting. I have no desire to be a pilot. Idk how your video came across my yt. But its very cool.

[@aviatormike]

Thanks for watching !

[@mikeyb8313]

I work at Frontier and our executives say we have too many pilots and there’s no shortage here. Ignorance is bliss…

[@PylotGuy]

😓 I just started flight training because I thought it was a shortage 😓 I have to finish though because I always start what I finish

[@Kyle_almighty1]

Anybody know of any good scholarships for flight school??? Specifically for ATP?? Please let me know

[@WickedlNl]

United Airlines have announced that they are going to actively keep hiriring for the next 5 years as they have a new order of 400 planes so yes, there will be a need for pilots for awhile and thats only one airline.

[@willzamor3580]

Hey bro, great vid! Like the previous comment, i'm 46 and starting my journey into aviation as well. It was a long time dream since I was 15 in Civil Air patrol and of course life happened, but it never left me and now i'm on the grind. BTW...i'm from Jersey too!

[@MrGoyabeans21]

Im 27 in the military but i dont fly. I can't get out till im 32, but ima use my GI bill to pay for a ATP license when im done. Hopefully i can pay for a PPL out of pocket within my 6 year contract while trying to go to college for free paid for by the military 🙏🏿

[@sebastianolave8242]

I’m in my third year of my aerospace engineering degree and I have an internship at Boeing this summer. However, I would really like to be a pilot. The problem is I don’t want to go into even more debt to pay for my training. Not sure what to do

[@drewcollins4533]

Thank you for giving me peace of mind. Just started my training and started hearing how certain schools have a wait because there were so many. Might be an artificial high because the lid just got blown off the top in 2023.

[@olaosebikanvictor5994]

I'm Victor, it's nice getting your page. How can I become a pilot here in or outside Nigeria through scholarships

[@jimprior5700]

The pilots look cool in their uniforms but it's a lot of work and sacrafice ti get there and it can be very rough on family life and marriage.

[@macleedondonough4814]

I’ve wanted to be a pilot since I was 13 even went to a program called tiger flight but I gave up i really wish I didn’t I wish i could start again at the age of 26

[@choppe55]

Remember that Seniority is actually - the number of pilots hired after you - I knew many TWA, Eastern and Pan Am pilots with twenty years being furloughed from the ‘bottom’ of the list.

[@mikaelalove5055]

I’m an FA thinking about learning to fly but I’m not sure if I would do well or if it’s too late at 32. I also still want to fly as an FA cause I love my job while I learn, so I don’t know where to start or how to do both at the same time

[@balukamargaret8601]

Hi Michael. Where can I apply for aviation scholarships?

[@keithdmello]

This is the best time since the 70's and airlines are hurting more than ever.

[@mightyJudah]

What scholarships would you recommend?

[@jimprior5700]

Seniority is very important when you are flying the line. Interesting opinions.

[@dwightk.schruteiii8454]

It actually started before the pandemic. The shortage was well underway beforehand because there were less young people going into the career than there were older folk retiring.

[@justwood390]

looking at getting started and joining an academy, is 6 months later still a good time to join?

[@stang10189]

If I was younger I would get my commercial lic

[@aviatormike]

As long as you are breathing, you have time 😁

[@octavia1amazing]

@@aviatormike I love that - fully agree

[@topofthegreen]

You also have to be younger, like 30 max, then you have to be willing to spend at least 100,000 with no guarantee.

[@aviatormike]

Many people above 30 are now starting their journey! its possible my friend!

[@Palakona1979]

Hi Michael. Aloha from Maui! My son has two more years of high school and wants to become a commercial pilot. Do you think it will be too late for him if he gets started after high school?

[@mach533x]

CFI here, no its still a great time! as soon as you guys are ready, throw him into training and make sure he continues his education. SHOOTZ

[@Palakona1979]

@@mach533x Thanks for the reply! We gonna go on a discovery flight soon to see how he likes it. Flight schools in Maui are so expensive so I’m not sure we’ll try to get his PPL here. But we bought some books and he’ll study the material for ground school to see if it all makes sense to him. He still hasn’t gotten his driving license 😂 He’s gonna take that in a few months though. One step at a time. Shootz! 🤙🏾

[@criminalsxxx4394]

Why don’t airlines hire and train? Why do I have to spend 100k?

[@kaitlynnhuembes8700]

Because you want to be a pilot? If don’t so don’t spend 100k lol