The shortage isn't from the 250-hour Commercial Pilot License holders (of which I'm one) but the 1500-3000 hour Airline Transport Pilot License holders who aren't already in the major airlines. This isn't anything new - baby-boomers retiring, more airlines (and routes) opening means more demand for pilots. However, the pay scale for anyone who isn't in the major airlines or an Aircraft Captain on a big Regional like Air North is pretty abysmal, especially when the cost of getting up to ATPL is probably equivalent to the cost of an MBA.
In other aviation forums, it seems like the "old days" of getting licenses, then going somewhere up north (or rural) to build hours for a few years* doesn't appeal to the current generation just leaving flight school.
*It's a little simplified and yes, some of those people will never make it to the major airlines, so they end up in those small airlines or in Regionals until retirement, making 35-45k a year.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pilot-shortage-bearskin-air-georgian-super-t-1.4451976
In other aviation forums, it seems like the "old days" of getting licenses, then going somewhere up north (or rural) to build hours for a few years* doesn't appeal to the current generation just leaving flight school.
*It's a little simplified and yes, some of those people will never make it to the major airlines, so they end up in those small airlines or in Regionals until retirement, making 35-45k a year.
A pilot shortage across Canada is causing some regional carriers to cancel flights, put less experienced pilots in the cockpit and has even had an impact on some air ambulance services.
A combination of factors is causing the shortage — ever-increasing air travel by Canadians, a shortage around the world and a large number of pilots reaching retirement.
A soon-to-be released report by the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace says Canada should be producing an extra 300 pilots a year to meet demand of a growing air travel industry.
Furthermore, the report warns demand for new hires for expansion and replacement of retirees could mean a shortfall of 6,000 pilots by 2036.
"Having fewer and fewer pilots to draw from, sooner or later the operators are going to have to start cutting routes," said Mike Doiron, an aviation consultant and CCAA representative.
(More on link)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/pilot-shortage-bearskin-air-georgian-super-t-1.4451976