Hiring

According to Atlanta-based AIR, Inc. airline pilot hiring totals for 2008 are less than half of what they were this time a year ago-6,479 compared to 13,157 in 2007. The national airlines hired 2,601 new pilots; major carriers 2,601; non-jet operators 900; jet operators 539; fractionals 395; and crew leasing, foreign, training, start-up, and very light jet categories 728 new pilots. Of the 92,348 pilots employed industry wide, 4,494 are currently furloughed, an increase of 1,400 from this time last year. AIR, Inc predicts 5,000 new airline pilot jobs for 2009.