Air Force Pilot Shortage Climbs to 2K Pilots, General Says

I think money defiantly plays a part, but I'm not sure if Uncle Sam can keep up with the airlines.

Money is definitely not the answer. I have several friends that turned down the bonus because it tied their hands to much. If they wanted to retire or go to the airlines or just do something else they couldn't. The facts are that they are deploying at unprecedented rates and flying sorties that are incredible. When they are home they are on spin up or they are "TDY" to support exercise x or y then they are home and gone again. Some units are on a one to one dwell with numerous "TDY's" that don't count towards deployments. We are wearing them out at crazy rates and money can't buy back time with family or at home. This is directed at Fighter pilots but the truth is that all of our pilots are wearing out. The airline salary is too good and couple that with the downtime with families I can't say I blame them. The only way I see to fix the immediate cut and bleeding until a more suitable fix is in place would be to stop loss pilots but then you would just pis them off more and they would really be disgruntled.