I don't really want to comment on the actual integrated Vs Mod discussion, it's too deeply polarised. The only thing I would say on this (actually by way of example of the polarisation than anything else) is that Ryanair, long the bastion of the Modular route declared recently that Oxford grads were "training at the best school in the world". Assuming the recruitment gentlemen who said this wasn't just playing some spin - which we have no reason to believe - then who will they go for in a dry climate? The surfeit of Oxford students who can't get jobs elsewhere, or continue hiring modular? I have plenty of experience recruiting people (tho' not in aviation) and the truth is you alwayshire the person you believe will be best for the job, whether they are or not.
I would look at this and say that in a bad climate, integrated offers you some slight advantage for the few jobs that are on offer, WWW [who, btw I would suggest people listen to more than me - he's doing the job I'm training for...] would say train more cheaply, your chances are even....and therein lies the polarisation...no-one who believes one route will ever change their perception of the other route.
Anyway, I digress, what I really wanted to bring up is the subject of finances. I fail to understand why people are so incapable of saving for their training. A couple of people on this thread have implied or directly stated that integrated students are from Rich backgrounds, or mummy and daddy have paid. This is pure ignorance of the truth...many are from very poor backgrounds and this is WHY they've taken such huge risks. To say "I'm happy just flying a putt putt aeroplane around" is [generally] naievity (how the hell do you spell that!) personified. It's great on a "perfect world" level, but it isn't a perfect world and money is a big factor. THAT is why a LOT of people want to go straight to the jets, because that's where the big pay is. It may not be the "pure" route, but it is, unfortunately necessary as people need to live and most don't want to live in a shoebox whilst they're getting their hours of FI work in.