An Irish Chum of mine has just been through his type rating. He is well below 1000's of hours. He paid the 15k. His phone call went something like...
'We're looking at taking 3-6 guys about (his age) and married with kiddies. You fit the bill.'
From his mouth, not mine. He gave me the big impression it was WHO he knew and not whether you pay £50 or £100 by mistake.
MAX.