just to balance things, there are a few problems with the self-improver route:
1) takes a long time
2) some airlines steer clear of self-improvers, for whatever reason
3) do you really save money? you might be getting paid (peanuts) to instruct, but would rather get the training done, get with an airline and start earning some real money
reckon market will have picked up in 2 years. if i was thinking about doing my training now, would still head to one of the integrated training providers.
finding a bank to give you £100k, now there's the big problem.....!
Get saving people.