The question is not really what they are, it is what they think they are. They are most definitely line pilots only. It is management deception to make them think they are management. There are many egos in C&T that will not allow them to see the truth. When no longer desperately needed they will be cast aside with the rest of the pilot group. It is interesting that this even warrants a thread at CX. In the rest of the world, C&T is simply another variation of ones job as a pilot. They consider themselves line pilots. They have just been tasked with a minor variation of the job. CX' current and prospective C&T would do well to talk with some former C&T fellows that have been cast aside and see just how deep the commitment to them from CX management runs!