apologies in advance for what is probably a lengthy pose, but just some observations from my experience, having come through a cadet type scheme some years ago.
what a sad state of affairs!!! but i hear people saying "well its the only sniff of a job we will get this coming year" .... true, but you have to take a long term view of this industry - the golden years are gone!!
until people wanting to get into the industry (wannabes) realise that there is no glamour, very little job security, early career pay is appalling whereas if you get a proper degree you can get into most other industries which have far more attractive T&C's, and most importantly, the burden of debt which you will have when you start your flying career will be crippling financially to you for atleast the next 5 - 10 years....until they realise this there will be an endless queue of people outside the door of CTC thinking they have found the backdoor into the promised land. but unfortunately the industry is on its knees, and thanks to the low cost operators who have made flying accessible to all, it is us, at the front of the aircraft who are having to give up T&C's to keep ticket prices low.
people might think, lets use EZY as a career step, get a TR and some hours and move onto a proper airline, the problem is by EZY starting this sort of a scheme others will follow, so there wont be many proper airlines left! what is stopping EZY from starting the same scheme again in 2011? why pay guys/gals an hourly rate in their 3rd year, when they can take on a bunch of new people who they wont have to pay much to for their first 2 years....what happens to the people who joined this year ?!?!?!? what extra burden to the trainers ?
unfortunately BALPA should have outlawed paying for your own TR years ago when the schemes first started and they should have a minimum salary table for each type of aircraft. look at train drivers, tube drivers, GP's etc they have very strong unions who effectively have their employers by the short and curlies...whats the result ... every year train fares increase ... unlike the fares in our industry !!! the result being the commuter pays for the drivers salary increase, whereas us at the front of the aircraft take a paycut to subsidise the punters down the back to go on even cheaper holidays ...what a bizarre world we live in !!!
my advice, become a lawyer, GP or even a train driver, more favourable student loan arrangements (theres a surprise) better T&Cs better job security!