self funded type rating
for what its worth i believe the airlines should organise their own type rating scheme and not expect individuals to self fund rating. a type rating done under the guidance of the airlines own sop's and jet type is a proper and quality way to do training. It integrates the simulator training, sop's of the airline including base training on type and all of these are done over a reasonable short period of time so that there are no gaps between simulator-base-and line training.
Self funded ratings are a bunch of hours in a simulator and a rubber stamp at the end of it with no reflection on specific airline sop's or route familarity. Once the simulator training is complete the individual is waiting for a job with an airline which could take months or even years as may be the case for some individuals.This in my view is to say the least a botched job way of doing things and the airlines should no better!
Personally i think that the likes of ryan air who go this route as an airline is disgraceful it gives the impression of low cost airline, low cost pilot training etc. Self funded type ratings, self funded application sterling £50 or is it Euro's anyway i woulden't even give it time of day!
My message to those young new pilots out there is be patient dont self fund your own type rating let the airline do a proper job. Dont panic there are plenty of jobs out there.
Pilot recruitment has never been so buoyant with all the middle east carriers recruiting, India and far east having a shortage of pilots the future indeed looks good so lets not drop our standards.