Id like to thank everyone who has commented so far. I really appreciate your views so please keep them coming!!!! I need all your views. But there still seems to be some confusion as to what my point is.
"It would not be a very clever move to self-sponsor an MPL course without a cast-iron guarantee of a job at the end of it. How, for example, would you feel if you had an MPL valid only on the A320 and there were only 737 jobs available?"
Surely the fact that the best cross-commonality is Airbus. A320=A319/A318/A321/A330/A340 et al. Much more commonality than boeing. So at least you've got a 50% chance of getting a placement compared to the ATPL graduate who has flown weed-killer planes for a year! PLus- you'll be able to know your way around an FMC much more.
I'm just looking for the fasted/cheapest way to getting my foot through the door. ANd surely this MPL means that on head-to-head straight out of ATPL/MPL school - the person who has got the A320 type rating is a better candidate?? Surely this muct be the case. Regardless of whether they are looking for 737 or A320 pilots? You have Multi-Crew experience - infinetly much more than Mr ATPL straight out of school. You know the flight deck-the electronics- flight operations etc.
"Still, most captains I've heard say "No problem, I just won't let the little buggers touch the controls".
So it'll become a glorified wireless operator/flap lever operator's licence....."
Slightly cynical - even if its true? The point is ur gaining your hours, you're being paid, you're in the environment, you've got a job and ur earning the bucks to pay for other courses yourself. Compared with Mr ATPL who is still building up his flight hours as an instructor in a cessna. No Multi-Crew experience etc..
This has obviously brought quite a bit of controversy. This is a new license. Budding Pilots have spent thousands of pounds and time building up hours towards your ATPL, then suddenly some Wally (thats me!) comes along and says you can be a fully qualified A320 pilot in 12 months - whilst the ATPL pilot is still flying weed-killing planes or flying tourists in Eastern africa.
Please please keep your comments coming. and dont be to attached to the acronyms. I'm a wannabe so don't know too much technical jargon. Again-thank you.