stefair
Sorry but you are wrong in two major respects.
1. If people stop paying for type ratings.
There will always be enough new pilots out there willing to pay for that jet
rating so as to get their foot on that ladder.
People can say they support free ratings and will not apply but I am sorry
to say that in reality they will pay to get that coveted position, and say
c..p to the principles of others, its the real world out there not cloud
cuckoo land.
2. Airlines are run by accountants and the bottom line rules, so if they can
and do cut back salaries for cadet pilots, they are taking much less of a
risk financially.
Those with previous jet / turboprop experience are less of a risk to
employers so the next type rating may well be nearly free.
I have been in this career now over many years and know the way the industry is going.
The bottom line rules, and as long as the cadet pilot is shown to be willing to pay for their rating, the accountants will actively encourage recruiters to take that route,
Take Silverjet who advertised for type rated second officers prior to their demise, this was an indication that they wanted pilots to pay their own rating.
I will state again pilots end up paying for their own ratings under the guise or lower initial salaries when recruited at the cadet stage.
Its easy to justify the cost to the board that way.