superdashes comment proves no such thing as free type rating
Pretty much my thoughts too, and something that isn't really fully acknowledged by the criticism of SSTR schemes.
In someways the risk/reward ratio is possibly acceptable. In other cases it certainly does not seem to be so. Do you pay upfront and risk loosing the money for the benefit of a high salary later or do you take a reduced salary? My most preferred option would always be the latter - a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush! One also has to consider how a low cost airline pays so well for some, maybe because some others earn a pittance?
For me the risk was minimal, I didn't pay for my TR upfront, but the cost will be recovered by the company over the next couple of years. As it always was for fully sponsored BA cadets, etc. Few organisations are going to be willing to reduce their competitveness by passing training costs onto either their employees and/or customers.