Originally Posted by JohnBurke

No, printing a business card or posting on a social media site that one is a "commercial pilot" is not holding out.

If one posts on a web site that one is offering transportation from A to B, or advertises airplane rides as a commercial pilot, and is providing the aircraft, then one is holding out.

A commercial pilot may advertise openly as a provider of pilot services, and it is not a violation of the regulation, nor is the pilot guilty of "holding out" as a public conveyance. Stating that one is a commercial pilot is perfectly acceptable. Stating that one is available as a commercial pilot is perfectly acceptable. Printing a business card stating that one is a commercial pilot is perfectly acceptable. Openly advertising that one is willing to provide services as a commercial pilot is perfectly acceptable.

It becomes "holding out" when one is not only offering one's services as a pilot, but providing the aircraft as well.