"I'm just wondering though how many people have spent the money, done the course and then not been selected. Its obviously a good thing if you get your job, but is it another huge waste of money if you dont?"
Or even worse, how many people have done the AQC, passed and completed a type rating (all post 911) and not got a job despite being in the holding pool 'somewhere'? (having maybe resigned from a good job to do the thing!).