8,000 this year  

Southwest is hiring 8,000 pilots this year alone... EIGHT THOUSAND.  And that's just ONE low cost carrier that's suffering in this hiring market.  In the airline's history, their maximum they've hired in a year was 5,000.  These times are unprecedented.

No more "5 year flow" to the majors if you're a helicopter guy with over 2K hours and a FW license (i.e. there's not much more needed to make you hireable in this market).

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Airline-News/Airlines-offer-perks-alleviate-pilot-shortage

Notice they're opening hiring up to Aussies to make up for the shortfall, Delta has dropped bachelor's degree requirement, EVERY airline's starting pay is going up pretty much so only one or two years of painfully low pay and then - WHAM - $100K+

THE TIME IS NOW!!!!

BUT: Make sure you've studied up and come prepared.  Don't be a bozo...