U.S. Air Force Faces an 1,800-Pilot Deficit as Commercial Airlines Offer $550,000 Salaries. The Pentagon Is Losing Its Most Expensive Strategic Investment

U.S. Air Force Faces an 1,800-Pilot Deficit as Commercial Airlines Offer $550,000 Salaries. The Pentagon Is Losing Its Most Expensive Strategic Investment

The U.S. Air Force is losing pilots to commercial airlines at an accelerating rate, with 1,800 open pilot positions and 7,600 military-trained pilots hired into commercial aviation each year. Entry-level commercial first officers earn $110,000-$150,000; senior wide-body captains make $450,000-$550,000.