Pilot Retention - A 'Gray' Issue? The Impact of Airline Hiring of Retirement Eligible Pilots on Air Force Leadership

In the last three years the major airlines have relaxed their rigid standards for employment to include age, vision, height, weight, education, and flying experience. As a result, literally every Air Force pilot currently qualifies for employment, and the major airlines are aggressively recruiting the Air Force's most experienced pilots. The study determines an increasing number of retirement eligible pilots are leaving the Air Force, some even turning down promotion to colonel, to pursue a career in the civilian airline industry. The study concludes that this trend will have a negative impact on the number of quality pilots who remain on active duty beyond the 20-year point to fill critical command and staff duties. Retention of the Air Force's most experienced pilot corps is a critical personnel issue.