Phileas fogg,
your 25 years in this industry and I bet my arms and legs you never paid for your initial training no mind your type-rating(s). And yes,it angers me that we do now have to pay for a type-rating,as ive said,airlines need pilots and with out us,they dont operate.
As for my job,its people like me that make it happen for you,im a ground worker at Dub airport.
So old boy,I suggest you hang up your hat and give us younger more enthuastic pilots a chance because by the sounds of you, you dont appreciate how easy you have had it.