On: Japan's airport control towers stop using 'No.1' i...

[arghwhat]

To nitpick, most will have GA, not commercial (i.e., professional) licenses.

But yeah, there's a lot of pilots.

[engcoach → arghwhat]

If we’re nitpicking then the pros have ATP licenses so they can fly for the airlines

[arghwhat → engcoach]

If we're really nitpicking...

In Europe and UK, an ATP is only required for those flying as pilot-in-command (i.e., captain) of a multi-pilot airplane for air transport purposes.

In the US after a crash in 2009, ATP or R-ATP is required for all scheduled air transport flights, but that is not all commercial flights. Ironically, that crash was flown by two ATP holders and so this requirement change would not have helped.

In both cases, a CPL is a prerequisite for the ATP (ignoring military hacks and some MPL stuff).

[engcoach → arghwhat]

Even charter flights practically require an ATP due to IFR and night flying restrictions on CPL holders

[arghwhat → engcoach]

Hmm? You can get instrument rating with CPL. There's also non-passenger commercial pilot jobs - cargo and agriculture for example. Those CPL holders are, by definition, professionals, even if other professional take the ATPL on top of their CPL.

[engcoach → arghwhat]

I don’t have my FARs with me right now but I’m pretty sure CPL holders operating charter flights cannot fly in IFR or at night