This is true, the damage is already done. To get a job now you have to prostitute yourself. However that doesn't stop you from growing a pair once you have some experience, join a union and work to stop the rot. I don't see this happening either, so that's where I'd put the blame.
Also, please keep in mind that 1. there will be newbies after you who will drag your conditions down after you're no longer a blue-eyed cadet, 2. the other companies are learning and will emulate the cheapest one around, so your fantastic plan of "getting 2000 hrs and moving to a proper job" might not be feasible by the time you get there. 3. I understand that you have very little choice these days, but trust me there are still people who actively choose a self-fund job because they think it will jump start their career and send them ahead of their airtaxi, flight instructing colleagues straight into jet bliss. This is short-term thinking that will dumb down this profession no doubt about it. The instructor > air taxi > turboprop > jet route is still possible to go down, it's just that today's "me me me" generation wants everything, now. They feel entitled to it. Final words - do what you feel is best but to NOT come on here in 3 years time bitching because you can't get an upgrade unless you pay 15,000 euro and outsiders are coming in with the hours and the money jumping ahead of you. Think it can't happen?
