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.”