To answer the original title.....Not alot anymore. Although I hear a couple of thousand P51 hrs on a 737-200, an atpl from an obviously corrupt authority, and no job offer from anywhere else is a good start. Much easier option when the JAA route is too much work after the caa have turned down a feeble attempt to get an exemption on such an obviously contrived set of qualifications.
PS helps if your mate answers the reference request as well.
No sour grapes i might add just an observation from that world where all the shortcuts are known to all. National carrier as well.
KEEP DECREASING