Now this may be provocative, but if we have to give up any flying training in the military then surely METS would be the least harmful option? I only say this as there are more elements of ME flying that are non-military than in the FJ or RW world. I accept that low level and formation are skills used in some aspects of the ME world, but (correct me if I'm wrong) doesn't flying your VC10/Tristar/E3D/BAe 146 have a lot of similarity with the way civvy a/c are flown?
As for using OATS - they are a company in decline, with a p**s poor management run by accountants (sound familiar). I think it extremely unlikely that there will be any new a/c to solve the servicability problems they currently have.
...said my bit, now diving for cover...!