When I decided I wanted to become a commercial pilot (a good 10 years ago) there wasn't the HSBC loan available, only a small career development loan. I got my PPL, and I worked in a good job, got promoted a few times, changed company, and steadily built my earning power. I eventually paid for all my training. I don't have any debt from flying.
In the meantime, the world changed, alot. Cheap loans, Sept 11th, age-related schemes, and a FTOs lobbying banks meant school leavers could borrow sh!t loads of cash and get the training done immediately. Now I sit opposite Captains on my 737 who are much younger than me!
If I had my time again, I'd have done the training much earlier. Like in the aftermath of Sept 11th, the industry will undergo another major change which will affect recruits. I see more of the working for nothing/reduced salaries.
But now is not the time to train. The UK market will not again see the growth of airlines as has been in the last 5 years.