absolutely right, i am very grateful for your input even if we don't 'quite' see eye to eye! one good thing about app, tho, i would say is the funding schedule which gets you doing the written exams, supposedly the hardest part of the entire course, done first so the cheapest and most difficult bit is done - any mess ups there and the money spent is far less - this seems to work for the other stages as the money is taken in stages, now whether that is the case or not i don't know.
i'm also under very little illusion that when i do finish, i'm not expecting anything from anyone in the way of recommendations - any i do get will be a huge bonus but i certainly have no intention of sitting back and waiting for the job offers to roll in through any hired help, as it could be seen!
many thanks mcr sorry we seem to have got off on the wrong foot! all the best - happy landings!