Paying for the TR, and getting hours on type is the way to go.
This is also a part of the training, why should 250 hours on smaller aircraft qualify us to fly on a A320?
I can't see why this seems so hard to understand for some people.
I dont know the details for this airline, but expecting to be qualified to jump into RH seat after ATPL, CPL and IR is crazy, most people have had to work 3 - 6 years as instructor, taxi and all other kind of flying jobs before getting into the RH.
Calculate how much that total will cost, compared to paying for TR and getting hours, and maybe your view will be different.