James
CTC is a good company who have got fat on the backs of their product.
I am totally against their practice of only paying 1K per month for the first 6 months this is worse than slave wages.
The guys I know had to rent a house together and claim housing benefit to survive even back in the 80's.
The established schools are the best route to the fATPL and CTC is among those although the junior on the block.
My own experience with wannabees like yourself has given me the insight and experience to recommend a route for success in training.
I am a civilian associated with the Air Training Corps and over the past few years several cadets have taken the road to the fATPL the most successful have trod the integrated path.
They are now with BA, Flybe and Ryanair.
So I feel as a professional pilot, parent and trainer that my advice is as good as the next persons in the industry.
As for OAA, I am an ex student and fly regularly with ex students so I know the standards set and obtained.
I have also flown with many from the modular route and from FTE and have my opinions about the type of training from both, none of it bad I might add.
As I said I was integrated and still strongly support that route if the individual can afford the costs, and repayments.
The modular integrated debate will go on for a long time to come, but the feelings in the European CAA's are towards a more regulated training regime and that points towards an integrated style route being their prefered way.
Modular whilst the route of many will be more regulated by the JAA regulations in the not too distant future.
My contacts in the UK CAA want a much more regulated approach to modular training which will in their view improve standards.
Good luck to the wannabees out there, the choice is your, which ever way you go.
My advice is have a good backup plan, but dont hold back on your goal, things will improve, over the next 2 years.
I ask those of you who have gone the various routes to post here on how long from the first step it took to achieve the fATPL.
That is for modular the first PPL flight and for integrated from selection or the first approach for funding.
This will give a good basis for those planning on their career a time frame to plan for completion at the start of an upturn.