How has COVID-19 affected the pilot workforce in the aviation industry?

Following COVID-19, the aviation industry experienced a significant pilot shortage. Airlines began hiring many very young pilots while simultaneously losing experienced pilots due to age limits. This transition was described as a 'terrible mistake' by the commentator, creating safety concerns within the industry. The issue extends beyond just pilots, as the commentator mentions staffing shortages affecting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and air traffic controllers as well. These widespread personnel deficiencies across multiple aviation sectors have raised serious concerns about operational safety and capacity in air travel.