[olympus]

Falls apart right here: "Imagine David. David is an airline captain lincenced to fly B737, B747-400, B-747-800 and any B777" There may be pilots who have flown 737, 747, and 777 before, but there are none (or practically none) who are current in all three at once. To get your currency back in a particular airframe could be as simple as a single check ride with a qualified (and current) pilot if it's only been a few weeks since you've flown last, all the way up to a review test and multiple check rides if they haven't flown in that airframe in quite a while.

And how did David get qualified in each of said airframes? An airline wanted David to fly a different route that used a different plane so they PAID for him to get the training and get certified. That would not happen in a freelance system.

There would likely be a freelance community around each type of plane, especially the smaller commuter varieties, but each pilot would basically be restricted to a single airframe until he/she could afford to pay for certification in a bigger and more lucrative jet on their own.

Would the FAA allow such a system to arise? Probably not. The status quo of having airlines schedule crews on routes that they are familiar with (with the occasional change) seems safer than having every single flight be with a crew that is unfamiliar with their route.

[neurotech1]

One case is Boeing training Captains are sometimes qualified to fly with multiple airlines, and multiple types. They have to be qualified for the operating procedures of that airline. The Boeing pilots are mainly used for training roles (supervising or safety pilot observer) and don't actually fly the jet on scheduled flights.

Some maintenance contractors have pilots who are qualified and current on several types, but its likely they are Part 91 flights only and may not be line qualified for Part 121 scheduled flights.

I can't see "freelance" airline pilots being more than a rare edge case.

[snitko]

I don't think the system where airlines sponsor pilot's education/certification is the only viable one. Other institutions, such as banks, can offer student loans. Another point you made about the fact that pilots cannot fly multiple airplanes is simply false. The older the pilot is, the more chances there are he flew multiple types of aircraft working for different companies. I know at least one who flew b737 of various models, b757, b767 and then b777 and he's nothing out of the ordinary.

[tobltobs]

> Another point you made about the fact that pilots cannot fly multiple airplanes is simply false.

He didn't say this anywhere.

[snitko]

Apologies, you're right. But I don't think he's right about the fact that a pilot cannot fly three types of aircraft either.

[ewang1]

OP is right. You can get qualified on multiple aircraft types, but to maintain currency is a different topic altogether. In the US for example, at least for private pilots, you need at least 3 take offs and landings in the last 90 days in the aircraft (category/class/type-rating) to be able to carry passengers. Then there's extra requirements for night currency and instrument rating currency.

I would imagine the airlines have even tougher currency requirements. That said, it's probably possible to maintain currency in several aircraft types depending on the frequency and how the jobs are scheduled.

[pjc50]

Other institutions, such as banks, can offer student loans.

The incoming US student loan crisis shows why this is not a great idea.