SSTRs are a feature of the speculative flying training scene, and are actually no more difficult to justify than IR or MCC training.
Speculative flying scene, you sound like a salesman from a TRTO!
Have to disagree with you 100%. Some things you write are interesting, but you too have been sucked into believing that the 'pay for type ratings' is the only way forward for the industry, it is not. It exists because young wananbes have created the demand, it does not make it right, and it certainly does not justify it like you suggest.
This industry is f*****d... so say quite a few of us who have been around for a while. Youngsters with too much money, no idea about what the 'profession' is or was, and PPRuNe sliding towards making this outrage accetable. Its time for PPRuNe to stand up against it, but it will not due certain people involved supporting it due personal interest.
There are 2 groups at fault, those who pay, and those who collect and grin all the way to the bank... w***kers.