Accepting that there is a pilot shortage in the U.S. is only the first step to fixing the problem. The next is producing more pilots but that, even with big names like Alaska and United working on it, will take several years.
U.S. regional carrier Republic Airways isn't in a rush to go public, despite chatter earlier this year that it was planning to do so. The carrier, which operates flights for American Airlines and United Airlines, believes its long-term future is secure.
Call it a pilot shortage, attrition, a wage-rate problem, or a structural defect -- it all amounts to basically the same thing. Pilot recruitment is under stress, and will remain so until there are reforms.
Frontier is trying to become a Spirit-like airline, apparently without the wild advertising, as Frontier has recently begun charging passengers for soft drinks, online check-ins, and a bevy of other fees. It will, of course, be interesting to find out who the potential buyer is.
American Eagle's unions are asking the bankruptcy court to block AMR Corp.'s deal with Republic Airways, which also operates regional flights for US Airways. These latest moves by the unions underscore how complex the path with labor will be for American Airlines should its merger with US Airways become a fait accompli.