mmmmbop, harden up sunshine. This is a board for expressing peoples point of views.
I did it the hard way and I'm glad I did. I loved every minute of flying up north, and the people you meet are great. I would not trade any of that experience for anything.
Cadetships unfortunately I don't see them as being of any benefit to a pilot, other than a shortcut. Again, that is MY opinion, and I'm entitled to it.
Going north is probably the best way IMO to gain experience and probably will give you the greatest amount of experience that will assist you later on.
morno