I fully agree about self sponsored ratings. I regularly see people brag on linkedin that they are doing things "the right way" and not paying for a rating (pay2fly as they call it). They often fly things such as DA42s for some small surveying op or similar.
Whilst noble in their intentions, I cannot help but think that in 3 yrs a person who paid at RYR or another airline is eligible to apply for Emirates, whilst their options in 3yrs will pretty much be similar to whatever it is they are doing right now. That income difference is the type rating money paid back ... has it not occurred to them??