I wonder why the role of our rulemakers has not been mentioned yet - in the "why do they put the pressure on us" way.
WHY does my ATP expire?
WHY do my T/R´s expire?
WHAT is the role of professional pilots associations in that?
WHO has a vital interest in putting that kind of pressure on us?
Whilst ANY civil servant could become e.g. a member of parliament for, say 8 years, and then has a guarantee to get his job back with NO lost seniority, I can not, because I won´t have a licence to fly with any more.
I´m not saying airlines did steer legislation in that direction, but they certainly are not sorry about it. It is high time we change to the FAA way in this matter.
I paid for my ATP, I have never paid a T/R and I won´t do so in future. I was DO for a small operator and I never took anyone that offered to fly for free or substandard T&C´s. But African Drunk has a point here, my next competitors did use selfpayers and even charged them for checkrides and all the mandatory courses, and they are still around whilst the company I worked for is closed (for other reasons, but I suspect if it would have been a better cash cow....)