How do these companies get around ESET, CRM and other company linked training requirements when using freelancers? Fake training documents here as well?
Why cheat? Freelancers can participate in these courses just like the employed pilots. Only that some companies charge them for the course, I am told.
And regarding the self-paid overnights: When I was freelancing back then I actually preferred to pay for my own hotel (of my own choice) and claim the official per-diem allowance. Because I could deduct the hotel cost from my taxes and the per-diem is tax-free, so overall it was better. As long as we don't know the exact contract terms of these guys it is a bit difficult to judge what's going on. Too much hearsay and twittering as far as I am concerned.