Originally Posted by MikeB525

This may seem like a rant (it's really not; just a question), but why is the FAA so anal about how and when an individual can earn money or recieve "compensation" as a pilot? I totally understand minimum flight experience and demonstration of skills, but in general why are they so concerned? I'm not sure if I agree with the whole pro-rating thing either, where I have to pay part of the rental/operating cost. I think it all makes time building needlessly difficult and in some cases the rules seem kinda pointless. Any thoughts/answer??