The game has changed. The old rules have been torn up. The world is different now.
Few current airline pilots yet perceive this and pass it on but it is true.
The old world valued a few years spent in Ops or in the Cabin. Building experience as an instructor or as a piston charter guy. Passing exams first time. Training at a reputable school. Having a solid CV packed with good school exam grades and commendable extra-curricular commendables.
The new world values your ability to pay tens of thousands in type rating fees and the willingness to sign employment contracts offering zero-hours and no security of tenure.
Thats all it values.
The RHS is a profit centre for some airlines. Ryanair started it. Others have followed. Eventually all will do so. Commercial reality dictates it to be so.
The well armed Wannabe in the new world therefore needs but three weapons. Cash enought to pay for CPL IR MCC ATPL + SSTR. An ability to move anywhere in Europe and not set down particularly strong roots there. A willingness to work like hell during the summer and work at something else during the lean winter.
If you can meet those conditions, and some can, then the water is lovely.
If you can't then run away from these freezing cold arctic seas.
WWW