I have found this thread very interesting and useful, some of the comments are, in my opinion, slightly 'off beam' but still worthwhile. It somewhat overcomes my question under a different topic heading "CPL (on the cheap)".
One thing I find interesting in the argument, is that of cost. Could one compare the statements made in the late 1990's about 'lo-cost'. All the flag carriers stated it was impossible to fly to xyz for less than the prices they were charging so we all paid £200+ to fly to Paris etc. OK lo-cost is an uncomfortable, cattle truck experience but it offers low price travel and the same level of safety (I hope!!!) as scheduled services. And now lo-cost has made the 'big guys' lower their fares to be more competitive, therefore if the training is good safe and of quality, resulting in the provision of a correct licence to fly, then so be it. Or is the suggestion that pilots of United, Delta TWA etc are somehow 2nd class pilots as they have not learnt to fly in the UK?!