Heres my experience: Offered a TR in October after passing assessment in early 2009. 2 Friends offered TRs in November after completing the assessment also in early 2009, 2 of my friends also failed.
A few days ago my 2 friends were contacted and told their TRs were cancelled/indefinitely postponed (most likely until april 2010). I brick it when I hear this and 5 minutes later I see an email from RYR HR pop up on my screen so I really brick it. My TR was still going ahead in Oct but was delayed by 1 week, I have also heard of an earlier TR still going ahead in Oct.
No one out there is saying RYR is the best job in the world but it beats scrapping around as an FI or in Mcdonalds (which I have tried). paying for interview, parking pass, uniform, insurance etc is something we all consider. We know the score, RYR pay me to fly plane, they have no commitment to me, nor I with them (3 months notice to BRK sux tho). They do not guarentee anything but everyone I know with them are flying lots of hours and happy as a pig in muck. Its not forever but its a good start when times are tough.