Mindthegap is not quite right - basic is 25-28k before tax but sector pay is circa 23k AFTER TAX - which equates to some more than 55k per annum. In FR it is 4yrs max (if you are low hours)to SFO - if you aren't a Captain by then!
The sector pay system is complicated but works out at about £130 after tax per day plus some for holidays and £200 after tax in addition for working a day off.
A 5 on 3 off pattern, very aggressive bean counters and shiny 800's complete the picture.
I jumped in a while back (with some trepidation ) and have to say it is not anything like the horror story you read about in the forums.