James.
Good post and points taken.
However if a company "owns" an aircraft worth say $40 million I find it hard to comprehend a pilot, indeed any pilot is worth that much. In fact, take it from me, the more expensive the aircraft and avionics, the less flying skills are required to operate it. Doesn't matter if you're a NASA graduate, if you don't have a good reliable aircraft to strap on, you're going nowhere. You are able to pick pilots up who prostitute themselves, off the street according to this thread. A half descent aircraft you wont.
If you have purchased a slot on a new aircraft order, that alone can be worth a fortune.
I rank a good engineer alongside any good pilot, as a lazy and or incompetent engineer will kill you as quick as CFIT.