"We're confident our members will be able to navigate any perceived or real pilot shortage, just like we have done historically."

Northwest also began hiring new pilots to alleviate the pilot shortages they faced throughout the summer of 2007.

Over the last few years, the schools had been trying to meet the growing demand for new pilots amid reports of a nationwide pilot shortage.

Still, a pilot shortage last year forced NetJets to charter other aircraft.

The airline industry has had its cycles of pilot shortages and surpluses.

The group's activation was part of an effort to increase pilot production due to a pilot shortage throughout the Air Force.

The demands of the Vietnam War and the resultant pilot shortage caused the Navy to withdraw its commitment.

Republicans have also pointed to troubling signs of pilot shortages, aging equipment and training cuts for some time now.

The analysts and executives contend that the pilot shortage is the biggest threat to Eastern's long-term viability.

Record industry profits in the past two years, full flights and pilot shortages give unions power to win sizable increases in wages.