Originally Posted by
Lemain
I fear you're asking for something money can't buy. There is no need for a flight engineer and in any case the no3 would have to be a type-rated/trained pilot (albeit arguably no need to be current or valid medical). How are you going to find enough suitable people who are prepared to get up early, go to bed late and sit twiddling their thumbs every day? And where would they sit? The jump seat? Why not give them a rifle and make them wear a Stetson as well?
I think ExSp33db1rd in post 2526 summarises what the 3rd “pilot” does, or rather did, far more eloquently than I could hope to. I wholeheartedly agree when he states
“Has the Industry improved on that system ? I doubt it, but the Bean Counters are happy. Removing the Flt. Eng. from the flight deck was the biggest mistake