Are pilots paid too much in the United States? That’s probably the wrong question to ask, but it is an issue to consider when airlines are losing money flying. Pilot Pay, Airline Economics, And An Awkward Question The Industry...
A Pilot Reflects On The Tragic UPS Flight 2976 MD-11 Crash
121pilot, our resident commercial pilot on Live And Let’s Fly, offers his thoughts on the recent crash of UPS Airlines Flight 2976, an MD-11 freighter that tragically crashed shortly after takeoff on November 4, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky. The...
U.S. Airlines Still Struggling To Fill Cockpits As Pilot Shortage Persists
The pilot shortage may no longer make headlines, but it’s still quietly grounding airline ambitions. Airlines Have Planes But Not Enough Pilots To Fly Them Despite the post-pandemic travel boom, U.S. airlines continue to grapple with a deep and...
Should Airline Pilots Fly Past 65? Debate Heats Up Over Raising Retirement Age To 67
The mandatory retirement age for U.S. airline pilots is back in the headlines. A push is underway to raise the limit from 65 to 67, but this is not a simple matter. Congress set the current age in law...
Why U.S. Pilots Need The 1500-Hour Rule More Than Ever
In Part 1, I debunked the myths around the 1500-hour rule. Here in Part 2, I examine why this rule still matters: what experience truly brings to safety, judgment, and operational resilience. Why The 1500-Hour Rule Is Worth Defending...
The Real Truth About The 1500-Hour Rule: Debunking The Myths
The “1500-hour rule” has been a flashpoint in U.S. aviation ever since Congress imposed it in 2013. Proponents say it makes flying safer. Critics argue it is unnecessary and drives up costs. But what the rule actually requires, and...
Union Tells Pilots To Stop Using The Word “Cockpit” And Other “Negative” Terms
A 2021 guide from the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) resurfaced on Fox News and is now making its way around more conservative media. Is the admonition to stop using words like cockpit, manpower, or guys simply wokery run...
Maybe It’s Time To Let Passengers Visit Cockpit Again During Flight…
Perhaps I am hopelessly naive, but I was not at all disturbed by the recent controversy over a passenger sitting in the cockpit on a recent United Airlines charter flight. In fact, I think it’s time to let kids...
Pilot Shortage Over? Airlines Curtail Hiring, Layoff Some
Is the commercial airline pilot shortage over? Maybe, some airlines have frozen pilot hiring and others have laid some off or offered paid them not to fly. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
Pilot Over Elite Upgrade Issue Creates Conflicts For Both
American Airlines pilots are upgraded above elite customers who may otherwise qualify for an upgraded seat. But this puts staff at odds with its best customers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
FedEx Pilot Off-Loading Might Not Mean What You Think
Federal Express encouraged some of its pilots to apply for jobs elsewhere this week. Speculation has swirled around layoffs, the economy, but there might be something else at play. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Report Alleges Up To 5,000 Pilots Unfit For Duty Fraudsters
A damning report out today alleges that up to 5,000 pilots are either unfit for duty, defrauding the US government, liars, or all three. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
