Thats why I support the initiative to change the ruling regarding airline pilots. IMHO all pilots should have 1500 hrs and an unfrozen ATPL before being allowed to sit as a 1st officer, in an airline. It will encourage pilots to be pilots and see some real flying before the hum drum life of airlines. Furthermore, it will prevent operators from butchering young pilots into £ 30 000 type ratings and making them work for low pay. But most of all, it will prevent people who don't have an interest in the job from getting there. Please don't misunderstand me, you don't have to be an aviation nut to be able to fly an aeroplane, but a healthy interest in what you do will make you better at it. I was fortunate to have worked for the UN, ICRC and various other NGO's on my way to my ATPL, it gave me the chance to fly some great machines and get some very valuable "stick time."
These opportunities are out there, you just have to look past the shiny Boeing or Airbus