No wingbar, the right stuff definately is the key. Not money. Ryanair etc are the extremes, many airlines will in fact pay for your TR. Indeed many wont, however should you get a conditional job offer which entails you paying your own, you will be able to get the funding from a bank. I'm aware this entails more debt, but having gone the cheap and cheerful modular route, this shouldnt be a problem. And lo and behold, you'll be sat at the pointy end of a jet.
You speak as if aviation is the ultimately cut throat industry within which to get your job. Let me assure you, it isn't. I have countless friends who are in far worse positions in the city, struggling and struggling in far more stressful situations to get that big break into investment banking or whatever, the same applies again in other walks of life. Stop bleating and get on with turning the situation around.
I still maintain your attitude isnt one that best befits those lucky enough to fly jets.