The number of mechanics licenses issued has dropped by two-thirds in nine years from over 24,000 per year in the early ’90s to almost 8,000 per year now. Further adding to the problem are large numbers of mid-career mechanics switching to other jobs. Mechanics are leaving the airlines in record numbers for better mechanics jobs as in power plants, electronics firms, the railroad and auto industries, and even amusement parks. If attrition does not slow and more new mechanics are not trained, the results will be more flight delays, late packages, and aircraft sitting on the ground, says a highly placed official.