IF MOST AIRLINES PAY FOR YOUR TRs ANYWAYS, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BUY ONE???????????????
Because they're not good enough to be hired.
Pilots self selecting themselves for jobs - another reason the standard of the average pilot is in rapid decline.
Out of 4 guys I know who self-sponsored, one got a job - but had to pay for his TR on a different type - ouch. Others still waiting two years later, one went to interview and they had no further interest once they found out he had self-sponsored.