Apparently Stellios went to CTC during the foundational days of easyJet to get a quote for training pilots. The story goes the large sum surprised him significantly until CTC replied "Well it's cheaper than an accident".
CTC became the EZY trainer and supplier of choice. That marriage has had it's ups and downs but no divorce is likely for foreseeable. Just look at CTC Captains last year and Flexi crew this year.
If the climate is growth e.g: 2006/2007 then EZY, CTC and new pilot entrants are happy. But in a downturn TRSS can be even more risky for participants than the CTC Wings scheme.
How so? OK the initial TR cost may be £23k instead of £75 to £120k but TRSS applicants tend to be older, more experienced and have families to support, mortgages etc, and are giving up reasonable flying jobs.
Also from CTC's perspective cadets bring in more money and for EZY cadets are cheaper to hire in the short term - certainly a CTC Wings cadet will take a while to get to SFO salary levels c.f. a DEP/TRSS. Post 2008 cadets with "maybe" promises of contracts are the cheapest labour available to a LCC.
Now, if a TRSS student falls through the cracks in the system NO ONE will come to the rescue (note "student" i.e: you are NOT employed by EZY till after CTC say so - usually after LST and LVP Sim - Moral here is read the small print before you sign up for any such scheme.).
BALPA HQ are NOT interested and EZY CC (although sympathetic) cannot help you as you are not technically an employee of EZY and HQ have never made any progress with CTC as the latter claim to be a training school not an employer. So a BALPA CTC CC seems very unlikely.
A cadet on the other hand might be given more assistance from CTC e.g: extra SIM work to re-sit an LST because of the potential cost benefits to airline and school.
To those in EZY who want to work with more experienced crews:
1. Demand BALPA get more involved in TRSS/Cadet Ts&Cs
2. Fight for CTC cadets (part time hours a few months of the year keeps them out of currency and lower houred).
3. Fight for apprentice type DEPs (Turbo prop / Instructors/ex Military) by demanding traditional bonding and using EZY TRI/TREs not TRSS.
4. Demand higher experience for jet crews through letters and petitions to UK and EU MPs and CAA - the US Congress are waking up to it:
Congress wants to raise flight hours for pilots Knoxville News Sentinel
I'm sure many of you can think of more / better ideas to raise the value of our profession.