The simulator is purely used to train for emergencies, engine failures, depressurisation drills and so on. It is absolutely nothing like line flying or the day to day job, so beyond the 30 hours or so you may do on a type rating, any other Sim time is useless.
A type rating is more than simply learning to fly the aircraft, it is also learning all your companies Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and is therefore specific to that company. Two different companies both operating an A320 could have some fairly significant differences in their operating procedures, so just going off and buying your own type rating with no hint of a job could actually make you completely unemployable, since you will learn a load of generic SOPs then any company that employs you will end up retraining you to their way.
The type rating is nothing, a small fraction of the overall picture, the big thing is line training. This is where you really learn to fly the aircraft and your day to day duties and responsibilities. If you're paying for this then you are nuts, you should be fully employed by this stage and on salary.
Last edited by RTN11; 29th Dec 2012 at 15:12.