Cloud mate, I am utterly opposed to any pay for type rating, and yep I know a few guys at Ryanair, most of whom havent had to fork out a bean (Ryanair are VERY VERY short of guys, senior F/O's and skippers with any type of useful 737 time) presently if you've got 500hrs jet time and 2500hrs total you can expect an early upgrade and a bond.
Yeah P Boy I hear you, Ive just started with a new outfit.....been put up in a lovely hotel, allowances that are making me drool, oh yeah and a 4% payrise in my first week
, and just to put the cherry on top, 6 sim sessions to get up to speed with SOP's and license check-ride. (they are even forking out for base training....circuits in the 767!..what joy
)