Re: paying for flying training
Paid for it / didn't pay for it, cadet / non cadet, instructing v outback v metropolitan v Nth QLD v SA...... No one is ever as good enough unless they did it the way someone else deems same as them it seems.
Have flown alongside many pilots of all different backgrounds. If they are professional and good airnmen/women then what concern is of to me how they came to arrive in that seat? It annoys me that some employers are so pathetic as to only employ pilots having come to arrive at their door by XX means only. They deem some pilots not good enough to fly their C172 but get onto a CX, EK, QF, BA, etc flight where the guy in the left and or right seat may probably be "the type" he / she would refuse to employ.
Each pilot on their own merrits. Do you go to your doctor, accountant, dentist, etc based on how they "earnt their wings" alone, or does it matter as long as they are professional and good at their job?