In short BSP do not pay what they used to. Also I think this person wants to stay in Europe. If you're prepared to work then yacht based equal time operations are the better pay, once you combine it with some freelance work in time off. Dubai air wing like 139 rated people, pay ok but tips are better I hear.... Offshore starting to pick up again, also some onshore corporate 139 operations in Europe quite well paid. That said the good operators are still giving type ratings to the right candidate subject to bonding afterwards but I think it's worth the effort. You can earn a salary over 120k in the UK alone so think carefully.