The thing which MUST be destroyed is the fATPL --> Airline job link. Hence the abominations like paying for TR, line training and the kind.
Think of fATPL --> GA, glider&ads towing, instructing.
You will have the armour to fight with the airlines only later; if they advertise for low-hours F/Os, it's only because these poor guys are a wonderful, complain-free way to cut their expenses when sitting at the balance approval meeting.
But they CAN AFFORD TO TRAIN YOU. It's only that you're supposed to have your weapons, when you go there and listen to them crying, they don't have the money. Bullsh*t. But to be in a strong position, you have to go through all the phases.
Aside from the aforementioned reason, making your way up slowly is going to be fun!! I always say going from the FTO to an airline is like losing the largest part of a nice movie
It's going to be hard anyway, if you start from the bottom, but at least you'll be talking the same language as your "targets"!