Thank you kindly to all for taking the time to respond to my questions. It has indeed fulfill my curiosity as to what goes on behind the scenes in your (our?) professions.
To be an airline pilot still seems a long distant dream for me. In Australia the airlines ask for the near impossible (500 hours multiengine command time before you can apply!!!) *sigh*. I'm sure this is not the case in other parts of the world.
Thank you again.