A few years ago, a pilot had to have perfect eyesight and a college degree if he

A few years ago, a pilot had to have perfecteyesight and a college degree if he or she wanted to land a job with anAmerican airline. But today, airlines do not stick to those requirementsbecause they can’t find enough qualified pilots.

Airlines must hire up to 62 000 new pilots inthe next decade. But qualified pilots are few and far between in the UnitedStates. Every year there are more planes being flown. At the same time, 12 to15 foreign countries are recruiting American pilots.

As a result, pilots are earning spectacularsalaries. The going rate for skilled pilots is well over $90 000 a year. Somepilots can earn about $160 000 plus free housing working for foreign airlines.

Because of the shortage, some people sayunqualified pilots are being allowed to fly planes. They fear the number ofcrashes will skyrocket. Each year, more and more pilots with less than 2 000hours of experience are being hired. Airlines are also bringing on board manymore pilots who are older than 50, although law requires pilots to retired atage 50.

Being an airline pilot is a difficult jobthat requires people to make life and death decision under pressure. Somepilots crack under the pressure.

The military is also having a hard timekeeping pilots. Air Force pilots must commit to spending at least six years inthe Air Force. The Air Force invests millions of dollars to train each pilot,so it doesn’t want to lose them.

Experts say this problem is going to get alot worse. Congress may establish a commission to study the country’s pilotneeds. In the meantime, salaries of pilots will continue to rise and the numberof crashes may keep pace.

1. The main idea of the article is_______.

A. a shortage of pilots is caused by airlinesand military

B. there have been more crashes becausepilots have worse eyesight and higher salaries

C. a shortage of pilots may lead to morecrashes

D. airlines should hire more pilots even ifthey’re unqualified

2. Today a pilot no longer needs_______.

A. perfect eyesight

B. military training

C. two college degrees

D. to be recruited

3. Air Force pilots should stay in the Air Force because________.

A. the Air Force is a good place to work

B. the Air Force pays more than airlines

C. the military should have hard time keepingpilots

D. the Air Force spends a lot of moneytraining them

4. Some people wouldn’t be good pilots because__________.

A. they can’t make decisions quickly

B. they don’t earn spectacular salaries

C. they weren’t recruited by foreigncountries

D. the number of crashes keeps pace with them

试题答案

答案：A;C;D;A