Some very valid points of view here.
This site seems to have become more and more about 'who's on this apptitude'..'failed stage 1' and 'who's got through to stage 2?' etc etc.
The fact of the matter is, that the chances of a sponsorship with BA are bloody slim to say the least. As previous posts well demonstrate the odds are well against 90% of applicants. AND THEN... you are prepared to wait a year for another go. Get a life!! If you want to fly for a living ..GET ON WITH IT!!
Whilst the odds for Sponsorships with other Airlines may be better, they can cost you a small fortune, and even then you can spend a couple of years tied to a school (of your trainer's choice) instructing with no gtee of that promised job.
Self sponsorship can be done. If you want to fly, the first thing to do is learn to beg, borrow or steal enough to be in charge of your own destiny. It can, and is being done by many of us. Whilst it's bloody tough, it's also very satisfying.
On reflection, perhaps 'steal' is not one of the best ways to finance your training, as to the best of my knowledge, HM prisons don't offer flight training as a rehab course!