"If nobody was willing to pay for a TR, what would the airlines do? Stop hiring..? I doubt it."
sapperkenno; lovely theory, but with everyone so desperate for a job out of training a union of 'no TR until YOU pay for it' seems a little distant. As you rightly say the airlines do have an upper hand.
However I've always believed that not enough is being done by the government regarding fATPL studies. I'm sure with the new tax system in uk (50% over 150,000 income), cutting VAT from the cost of an integrated ATPL zero to hero wouldn't really make a significant impact on the desk of Mr Darling? This would save thousands for the individual, probably enough to Include a TR at the end!
It seems Joe Bloggs, who has always dreamed of being a Pilot but hasn't been blessed with a financially sound family really has to pay through the nose to make his dream come true. Might be a little easier with a bit of help through the Tax office...
Just a theory....maybe a little distant too!!