With the current dearth of jobs, take someone who has just spent £40,000 to £50,000 plus, of his/ her own money, and qualified ATPL, with 180 hours, and with no prospect of work other than a low paying Big Mac type of job.
How is this person going to be able to fund the amount of flying hours, and/or sim hours, which will give sufficient hours to keep him/her current over the next 1-3 years? The depressing thing is that, in the space of a year, when things start to pick up, newly qualified students, with lots of recent experience, will probably be at a distinct advantage to the current unemployed.
fcom, you are the only light at the end of the tunnel. Can you let us know how you and your colleagues managed to keep current and competitive for the 3-5 year lean period of your lives?