Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!spool.mu.edu!uunet!lll-winken!sun-barr!newstop!jethro!exodus!appserv!sun!amdcad!amdcad!military
From: rdd@cactus.org (Robert Dorsett)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Pilot Cutbacks
Message-ID: <1991Jun13.055519.23411@amd.com>
Date: 11 Jun 91 16:41:23 GMT
Article-I.D.: amd.1991Jun13.055519.23411
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Lines: 27
Approved: military@amd.com


From: rdd@cactus.org (Robert Dorsett)


I'm reminded of a conversation I had with an ex-Navy pilot, at the
airport in College Station.  He was flying commuters for Continental.
Went something like this (at the time, there was a PILOT SHORTAGE):
"The damned BEAN COUNTERS decide they have too many pilots, so they do
everything they can to get rid of them: pay them to leave, deny
promotion, etc.  Then all of a sudden, surprise, they have a PILOT
SHORTAGE, so they then spend millions on recruitment, bonuses,
incentives, etc.  Then they have too MANY pilots, so it's cut-back time
again." Ad nauseum.

Judging from the Air Force Times I've read, this does indeed appear to
be a cyclic phenomenon in the military.  It's dumb as hell, but it's
how they work.  Right now, the airline industry's leaning towards a
surplus, so the military probably feels it's somewhat easier to get
pilots to renew their contract.  This means the number of anticipated
empty slots is lower than there'd otherwise be.  And, of course,
they'll overdo any vetting in their cutbacks.  Within 18 months,
there'll be a pilot shortage again.  Betcha. :-)

---
Robert Dorsett
Internet: rdd@cactus.org
UUCP: ...cs.utexas.edu!cactus.org!rdd