TFC,
I do agree with you. My point is, like you say, if you go for a job in say Sweden, it is a distinct advantage to speak Swedish. Same applies with most carriers in the UK. If you come for an interview and can barely speak English, you can't expect to get the job.
With JAA, the "European Licence", we the pilots are able to apply for any flying position without (or at least in the UK) prejudice to what your mother tongue is. Unfortunately, most, or a lot of UK educated pilots probably didn't get to learn another language fluently. This in its self has dissadvantaged UK pilots, so like you say, we would have to learn, say for instance, German if we wished to fly for Lufthansa. Not really feasable for most.
Now a European pilot whom has been lucky enough to be educated and fluent in English, should, and if you look at most UK operators, do get jobs over here! I fly with Dutch, German, Portugese, Spanish, French, Italian etc.. pilots, but when asked to why they don't get jobs in their home countries, its usually because they can't, so they come to the UK, get that first job, work here for a few years then dissapear back home to work for their flag carrier.
The biggest injustice to all this is is that there are many UK pilots whom can't get work because there are Europen pilots whom are taking UK jobs, and in most cases willing to pay for the privilage! They can't get a job in Germany, France, Sweden etc...because they speak English, the ICAO Standard language!!!!!!
If you come here for a career, good luck to you. If you come here to gain experience good luck to you. If you come here and expect a job because you have a pilots licence and speak English, you may be in for a surprise.
O'Leary led the way, so blame him!!!!!!!!!!!!