Hmmmm, stirred up a few replies but let's review them for useful content
Ah well, very close to zero just as I said previously. 'english al' came closest but no cigar I'm afraid.
Al manages to let us know he has a mate doing a course but sadly absolutely zero information regarding service , actual costs versus promised cost. Location of training, the authority it comes under, it's transferal to a UK or other licence and its course quality seems strangely absent. Critically and, for a working professional, the most important question of all - one which the new and naive would never dream of asking.
What licence or validation is required, organised and assured for you to be able to fly for an eastern european operator?
The same applies to many other supposedly JAA countries let alone the rest of the world.
What about visas? - they are the bane of our lives as professional aviators working on contracts which effectively is what this scheme is.
Have a look at the replies above this post again. They are merely self justification for an attitude, an agenda. Namely - 'If I have to pay out more to get ahead I will...... err, maybe, if I can afford it, possibly. umm, actually if you have a go I might but I definitely believe in it as a principle unless I get a call for a real job interview that is.'
No one on this thread has put their money where their mouth is. No one is speaking from experience of any one of these schemes. Their absence speaks volumes.
But consider this. Imagine you can borrow the money, the course is entirely safe and of high quality. How long have you effectively opted out of the recruitment merry go round? A year?? Meanwhile a glance at the partner forum to this shows people swapping notes on interviews they're being called for. The market is moving and our pushers of pay your way to the top are in actuality recommending taking yourself out of the system for a significant period. At last, when jobs are finally about which, while bonded, don't actually cost you anything, we still have the rump of the pay as you goers pushing their ideas.
If you think its a good idea fill your boots lads but don't post that alone. Without useful information for the likeminded you're wasting our bandwidth and makes it appear you're just trying to convince yourself as much as others. It makes you look like you're trying to produce a critical mass of folks falling for it as happened with MCC and other non required follow on courses.
Those new to the forum may have wondered why there is so llittle input from experienced working pilots - by that I mean 3 or more years in the business. 20,000 plus visit the site each day so you wannabees are just a little out numbered. It's quite simply frustration, annoyance and embarrassment at what passes for debate here. The embarrassment lies in the awful realisation that they were exactly the same when they knew nothing about the realities of the profession.
On occasion a grownup has to step in - this is one of those moments.
Now before composing yet another withering reply to my epistle would you please miss out the paragraphs regarding all you've given up and how much you spent. That is a given in this business. The Weshman and I have repeatedly demonstrated over the years that yours are the cheapest licences ever in the history of the industry. We will rub it in your faces if you persist.
Why??? Because those interviewing you went through the same processes, made the same sacrifices and paid far more than you did. They don't like a whining attitude. They don't select 'I want it on a platers.' Bright eyed, enthusiastic, positive, and
current is what they want. Not those already thinking of the first job move they can to service huge debts.
Regards
Rob