Thanks for all the input guys, it really is appreciated. As I've said, something just doesn't sit easy with me about the whole thing, I abhor pay to fly and always have. However I'm trying to look at this objectively too. I need to keep building my hours.
I can either do a 737 rating + 300 hours on type for £25k, or look to do a similar amount of time on a SEP and pay £33k!! I also have the option of extending the 737 time to 500 hours. So from an hours building perspective, this is the cheapest in a very odd way. 1,000 hours of which 200 is tp and 500 jet is a lot more attractive than 500 hours of which only 200 is tp. I would also anticipate coming back into the job market next spring/summer, when hopefully things might be taking a turn for the better.
I'm willing to go anywhere to work. I want to return to the UK in a few years when it's time to have a family, but at the moment my wife is stuck in her job overseas and so it doesn't really matter where I am as I'll still get to see her just as often.
I should add that I'm not spending any of 'Mummy and Daddy's' money. Through some good fortune I've been able to save for all of my training.
As I say, something doesn't sit right with me about the whole thing. I hate the thought of doing it, but I need to stay in the game and I'm struggling to come up with other ideas. If I don't do a rating and buy the time, some other schmuck will and I'll be left behind. Such is the disgusting reality of the industry these days.