Keebird
It was in US of A where the buying of type ratings started not in Europe. There where no training organisations other than flight schools and airlines until late 1990's who could provide training. Further airlines would not talk to individuals for type training unlike in US where several airlines and organisations where willing to cater for indivudual needs.
Just to metion a few names, Flight Safety, Aeroservice, Pan Am, NATCO, several small 1 or 2 sim schools spread around US. Some, like NATCO, even advertised in the 90's on Flight International for individual types, impossible in Europe at the time.
So we imported the self sponsor type scheme from you guys, thanks very much for that... NOT.
Also you gave us the pay for training, pay for line training scheme. This was available with Mesa group and Gulfstream in FL as well as a bunch of pt135 companies since the early 90's, well before this stuff reached our shores. Yes and these where imported to EU via Eagle in Florida as well or ASG jet in Netherlands but flying done in US in the late 90's So thanks for that as well... NOT.
How exactly is this tendency of buying to work spreading amongst the more experienced pilots? You would find that most experienced pilots here are adamantly against pay for training and the other wonders such. Just to offer you an example. Previous employer of mine retired 757/767 fleet, they took some guys and put them through the type rating course on the 747. However they did not extend this to non EU citizens. Thus it was offered that those FAA ATP holders wishing to transition to 747 would have to pay for their own training, would you like to guess how many Americans took the option?
So dear keebird, before passing judgement, research your subject well enough to have your facts straight.