400, you're a good person for responding to all the applicants. I've had that happen a few times, and I always appreciated it. I had a call about five years ago regarding a position for which I'd applied; I didn't get the position because it went to someone less qualified for political reasons. I wasn't happy about the reasons, but I was impressed that the individual called and took the time to tell me.
I don't think such a level of response from an employer is common, but given the number of applicants that many jobs see, it's little wonder.
With respect to applicants who don't meet the technical qualifications, I've applied for positions in the past for which I was hired, when I didn't meet the qualifications. I'll be the first to say I believe I was most qualified for the job...or more appropriately, I was the best applicant for the job...but I left it in the hands of the employer to make that decision.
Someone who lacks a type for your aircraft may still be the best applicant; this person may be the one who will stick with you, give you better service, have better experience, and help carry your flight department to new heights. Spending the money to type that person is a very small investmentin your most critical and important resource; your personnel.
I'd much rather see an employer set a requirement for a year of service, with a contract and terms in association with a type, than not consider the best man for the job. The best man isn't always the one with the type or even time in type. For example, you have two applicants. You're flying a Lear, and one has a learjet type rating, the other doesn't. The one who has the type has a little time in type, but comes from an entirely different background than the type of operation you conduct. The one who doesn't have the type has a thousand hours of SIC in the airplane, and has spent ten years doing your type of flying. He's got significant experience in other high performance aircraft doing your kind of flying, a great track record, and he wants a stable place to go...and the type rating you're offering.
Investing in that guy might cost you a few dollars...but might be the cheapest money you spend with the best value, dollar for dollar.
I still apply to jobs for which I don't hold the technical qualifications. Sometimes I get called, sometimes I don't. I was hired into such a position last year, which I ultimately turned down...but the job was for a turbojet for which I held no type. Other applicants for that position did hold a type, and weren't hired. Other applicants at the interview held different types, but were hired into aircraft for which they weren't typed. This isn't uncommon. Each applicant was evaluated in personal interviews, a simulator, with written tests, and so forth. The employer extended offers to the candidates that the employer felt best fit their needs.
I understand your disgust with pilots who grab types and move on; they have no sense of honor. It's an unethical practice. However, don't discount the best man for the job merely because he or she lacks the type. You may be passing over the best employer you never had.
