The VAX refusers were probably among the best pilots as well.
It isn’t going to get better for years.
Ramping up capacity takes years and high fuel prices mean airlines are going to be phasing out the guzzlers they have been flying and buying all new fleets over the next five years which means hiring/training people that aren’t currently there.
“The VAX refusers were probably among the best pilots as well.”
According to this article (and others). the number of commercial airline pilots decreased from 120,000 to 100,000 between 2011 and 2019: https://www.skytough.com/post/how-many-pilots-are-there#:~:text=In%20the%20USA%2C%20there%20are%20734%2C911%20pilots%20including,%2819%2C100%20Air%20Force%29%3B%20and%2058%2C541%20are%20female%20pilots. Blame the vaxx if that makes you feel better, but the number of commercial pilots has been declining for years.
And Ground Crew workers - Midway and O’Hare are short on Baggage Handlers, Re-Fulers, Maintenance workers every day - all over the Vax card
I wrote a note on a similar post last night. I am a recently retired Navy Pilot (Commander, Flight Instructor) with an ATP. I flew big wing P-3s (3 tours) and became a Goshawk jet instructor (3 tours) and have carrier landings and a lot of multi hours. I applied to Southwest and on the first page of the application it asked if I had the shot. My application was immediately denied. I have not bothered to apply anywhere else. I now work in a brewery in McKinney, TX, where no shot is required:)