Keith
MikeHotel is bob on, you train for your frozen ATPL, then mate you're in the hat for ANY job out there, as is everyone else I'm afraid! And any job you can get, TP, jet, cargo, pax, is a real bonus even in the good times which obviously we are a way away from yet.
Yes, airlines require a type rating, but generally they do these as part of your airline training, as opposed to doing it with a seperate organisation off your own back, and they will usually this day and age charge you in some form or other for the rating. Some pay you back over a few years, others don't.
Even in the TP world this can be true.
However airline flying per se is by no means the only type of flying out there, but it's the one realistic option to obtain a return on your investment and a decent salary to live.
Good luck wth it.