you are right about being linched(spelling) in the wannabees forum, but i have been in the same boat as you guys, should i, shouldn't i buy a rating...
finally got in with a company in europe, starting in august, and do not have to pay for the rating.
ask your hawker co-pilot with the grey hair...
i guess if you go for it, the only things you have to remember is...
still not 100% certain a type rating will get you a job
you will have a rating with no time on type
so long as you are prepared to gamble with those factors in mind, do it, the guys with 200 hours total time are, and if they think it worth it, with +-2500 hours, one would think you stand a good chance of something coming up.