BigBear83
Tough questions, lots of options.
The industry is indeed very healthy over hear at the moment. There are lots of guys coming straight out of flight school into the right seat of B737, B757, A320, Emb135/145 Dash8, ATR, Bizz jets etc.
I did the same thing, was sponsored by the RAF for a PPL, flew a little with my university air squadron (RAF volunteer reserve), then self sponsored myself through one of the larger FTOs to upgrade my PPL/IMC/Night rating to a Frozen ATPL. I Then went into the right seat of a B73NG with 230 hrs TT excluding sim.
Before this thread deteriorates into the "That's not enough hours for the job” or European vs. N. American career path arguments, this type of career progression has been in existence since the end of WW2. The UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands under the guidance of the flag carriers had their own cadet training schools - now its just free market. I am not saying which route is best just that it is possible and indeed common in the current climate.
With this in mind hour building through instructing isn't going to be particularly advantageous at the moment as the jobs are out there, the major obstacle is the licence conversion of which ground school is the worst/longest part. Flight training over here is also extremely expensive, my Seneca training cost me £6 per minute though it can be done a little cheaper. Even with a Canadian ATPL as I understand it you will still have to sit the 14 ground exams. Paying for your own type rating is also a new phenomena and though expensive upfront, usually seriously reduces/negates any bond leaving you free to move as you please.
Salaries vary from (just from the guys I went through flight school with) from approx £25000 (Dash8 /ATR to £40000 B737/B757A320/, though cost of training and living over here is much much greater.
Cheers
CE