I’m not sure it’s a function or too many aircraft, as the title suggests, but instead not enough funding during some crucial high tempo years.
however, I expect there to be changes in the coming years
Why?
We've done so much with less and less, and we've had so many commanders that fudge the numbers and "make it happen" (and don't have a mishap by sheer luck) in the name of golden path promotions, what makes you think it will get better?
I seriously think that it will take a very large paradigm shift to get us back to where we once were.
There are certain sects of aviation where the risk is less, and the system is less broken- but as a whole, shit is broken- and the latest budget the executive put forward cuts even more money that could be used to improve readiness in favor of some rusty steel on the southern border because xenophobic, ignorant, backwoods hicks feel threatened and can't think beyond their initial emotional reactions.