Thanks for the replies folks. To address some of the points raised.....
Firstly, the question regarding airlines approaching an agency when they already have CV's on file. As I posted yesterday the CV's an airline has on file are out of date. The airline is unaware if the applicant is still available without making enquiries. A positive aspect of a current database is that names and information is pertinent to the airlines requirements. To remain current a good agency could make it the duty of the person wishing to be included on the list to update their status weekly - if you want to be included then let us know each week - kind of deal.....
Not sure if any agencies exist to help unemployed pilots but if someone has information to the contrary then please post it. One imagines that should such an agency exist it would probably be profit making and serving the more experienced pilot but this is simply an assumption.
From the inception a free database would be much easier to administer if it was limited to the UK. This is purely for time and organisational reasons. The time and effort involved in setting up something so ambitious would be stretched unless the primary task was limited within a specific field. If the project gained support then in the future it could possibly expand further afield but the primary aim is to make it a non-profit making and non subscription charging simple database of prospective pilots available and seeking work which would be forwarded to airlines at the request of the airline following a circular outlining the motive of the project.
One possible problem that has occured to me given extra thought: those who undertake such a project will be faced with a difficult problem once they enter flying employment - who's going to continue collating the database?! Perhaps issues such as this are more important at the planning stages? However, the help already offered is encouraging and we'll see how this thread pans out over the next few days before making any in-roads.
For now, please keep the thoughts coming and if anyone within airline management could comment based on what they have read so far then we'd very much appreciate it.
Regards,
VFE.