American Airlines pilot: This pilot shortage isn't going anywhere.

By artappraiser on Tue, 12/14/2021 - 3:36pm |

There's a paywall at link but I've put a good summary in Twitter thread in the first comment

✈️ American Airlines pilot Dennis Tajer says this pilot shortage isn't going anywhere.

Not enough pilots are being trained because instructors are resigning. Other airlines also offer better benefits.

This is Tajer’s story, as told to writer Elle Hardy.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

URL:

https://www.businessinsider.com/pilot-shortage-american-airlines-heres-why-2021-12

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The hiring is unlike anything we've ever seen at American.

They're trying to hire more than 2,500 pilots next year — 50 per week. That's more than double what they initially announced in July this year.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

American Airlines instructor pilots, called check airmen, are resigning in droves.

It's a coveted position, where you're selected for talent and high dedication.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

They're returning to the line — that's what we call regular flying — for two reasons:

They have a better quality of life because of the amount they're forced to work as check airmen.

They can make more money through overtime flying the line.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

American Airlines instructor pilots are paid dramatically less than others in the industry.

Delta and United, for example, give their check airmen a base pay override of about 20%.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

We're seeing pilots leave for other airlines in the middle of training with American because other airlines are offering better pay.

The market for pilots was a buyer's market during the pandemic. Now, it's a seller's market. https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ pic.twitter.com/ZfbknFgHtR
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

In June, American had to cancel hundreds of flights over Father's Day weekend because it didn't have enough pilots trained to keep up with demand.

The pilots we had available were still in school.https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

The education pipeline is a real problem.

Everyone is facing the issue of how to get pilots properly experienced and into the cockpit.

Subscribe to @thisisinsider to read the full story and see how much American Airlines pays its instructors. https://t.co/OvqF704eHZ
— Transportation Insider (@TranspoInsider) December 14, 2021

by artappraiser on Tue, 12/14/2021 - 3:43pm

American Airlines pilot: This pilot shortage isn't going anywhere.

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