Pilots weigh in on solutions as nationwide shortage impacts crew morale, travel
From canceled flights to suspended routes, travelers are feeling the effects of a nationwide pilot shortage.
Many pilots say they’re overworked and exhausted, compounded by what industry experts say is the pandemic continuing to drive early retirements and a drop in pilot training enrollments.
“It’s going to be upwards of $120,000 to get your education,” says Captain Theresa Claiborne, a veteran commercial pilot and president emeritus of Sisters of the Skies. “I don’t know very many people that their parents have that kind of money just sitting around.”
Through Sisters of the Skies, Claiborne networks with other Black female pilots and organizes mentorships and outreach for new recruits. She says diversifying the next generation of pilots is important in attracting and retaining new talent.
Claiborne joined “Closer Look” on Thursday alongside Adon Clark, the dean of the School of Aviation at Middle Georgia State University and a pilot who has worked across commercial and private aviation. Clark and Claiborne talked about addressing the retirement age for pilots, burnout in the field, and how their respective organizations are working to draw recruits to training programs.
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