Hughseyd,
Dont give up hope though for the future. PersonallyI would maybe put it on hold for a while to see how it all pans out! I have done exactly that, modular and 20 hours in to the IR, but needs must and my concentration must go in to keeping my job and lucky for me I have had a progression chance too, so my focus must now be with that. Add to that getting married at the end of the year and looking for a house! I am not prepeared to throw that away for what is really a lottery. No matter what people say its pure luck! RULE 1: KEEP YOUR JOB!
Decison time for me will really come towards the latter part of this year. My ATPL credits expire next May ( unless the CAA see sense and see that that the industry is currently stagnant, and therefore take the silly time limits off! )
Best of luck to all