This is how I currently see it - you are paying up to £100,000 (incl. living) for the airline connections made for you by the FTO. The biggest question on my mind is really.. is this worth it???
Only you can decide that, but bear in mind a couple of other points. Certain FTO's don't simply have "airline connections" but more importantly they are contracted to provide cadet pilots for specific airlines cadet programmes. This can mean 16 months of
ab-initio training, followed by an MCC course and that airlines specific type rating course (3 months). This is then followed by a six month "placement" with the airline. At the end of that placement period, the airline may offer a contract of employment.
During the "placement" the cadet is receiving no basic salary, but is receiving allowances and flight pay. On top of this there is a return of some of the training costs (bond) giving an income of around £2000 a month.
With a combination of good timing, the right placement company, effort and luck, the cadet can find themselves on a £40K plus allowances contract, 26 months after starting their
ab-initio course. In some cases it is also possible for the majority part of their training course fees (bond) to be repaid from their future salary in a manner that has tax advantages. It is perfectly possible for the training costs to then be amortized over a period of 60 months (although 84 months would be the average.)
The airline placement for six months will likely result in around 500 hours on a modern aircraft type (A320 etc.) If the placement didn't dovetail into a contract, then the cadet would be in a reasonable position to apply for vacancies that did arise generally.
Some placement airlines will include the type rating as a part of the placement, others may charge an additional sum for that rating.
The flip side of course is the cost. A lot of people will not be able to raise the course fees. These courses are also selective, and require candidates to reach a standard where an offer of a course can be made. The courses are intensive, and a high standard of progression is required. Where this isn't achieved, there is a risk the course will be terminated. The candidate may not be offered a placement. The placement may be subject to additional training costs, or the candidate may be be dropped after the placement commences.
The dynamics of the airline recruitment market, mean there can be no guarantees of placement or employment or indeed the terms and conditions relevant to either. It is quite possible that upon successful completion of training, the airlines have either limited or indeed no requirement for additional cadets. This has happened in significant numbers over the last 5 years, resulting in large "holding pools" of people who in turn are commited to high levels of debt repayment. It should also be borne in mind that airline recruitment (even in good periods) is often seasonal and tends to take place when there is training capacity (usually in Winter and early Spring.)
Some people will advise you to "save your money" and "go modular." That is fine. However it is very unlikely to result in you being an A320 First Officer 24 months down the road. This route requires a series of "stepping stone" progressions through licence aquisition and then aerial work jobs (flying instruction, GA entry level opportunities,) and then as experience is aquired on to third and second tier commercial companies, and eventually on to airlines seeking First Officers through direct employment opportunities.
This market is a saturated one. Obviously for cost reasons alone, the vast bulk of hopeful aspirants are likely to found here. The jobs that exist are fiercely fought over and the attrition rate is high. Progress to the end goal (if first tier airlines are the end goal,) is normally very slow in comparison, and again the attrition rate is very high.
An increasing number of airlines are utilizing cadet programmes as a significant part of their recruitment process. For anybody with a realistic expectation of flying for an airline at
ab-initio level, this is where those opportunities lie. Once again, those cadets are recruited through the established and recognised programmes.
There are no easy answers I am afraid. However there is a great deal of risk, and for many people a great deal of heartbreak and disappointment. I have said it many times, so I don't mind saying it again, but do your research carefully. If airlines are where you see your goal, then look at where those airlines recruit from. Look at the costs involved and work out your your own risk profile. On internet bulletin boards there a lot of comments that are simply wishful thinking, or downright delusional.