Rainboe,
Let's get one thing straight about self funded type ratings. We live in a democracy. If someone has the resources, or is willing to indebt himself, to self fund a rating, then that is his democratic and free right. If this lifts him up the employment ladder a bit, then that is his paid-for benefit, and Iīm afraid it is nobody elseīs business. Why you expect BALPA to 'step in and do something about this īproblemī' I donīt know!
Can't argue with that but would it also be OK to get an earlier command by offering to pay for the upgrade and jump the seniority list? Would it be OK to buy a position with an airline and displace another pilot? I would also like to point out that BALPA may be helpful if you're with BA but they're totally useless if you work for my company. I say that as an ex member who has been totally betrayed by them recently. Their lack of support was in stark contrast to the help they provided for a BA F/O who wanted to fly for a hobby.