Job as a Pilot 2010
There's a lot of good info on these pages about becoming a pilot etc. but was interested to see if anyone could answer some questions to which the answers may not be readily available to people out with the industry currently.
The two main training schemes I am currently aware of are CTC and Oxford Aviation. Both are very expensive and thus seem to make becoming a pilot a less than straightforward option (sorry for stating the obvious!). I already know two people who have completed the same university course as me that have been successful in their applications to CTC. So, my questions are:
1. Are CTC\Oxford Aviation the main schemes available to people in the UK (outside specific airline schemes)? Which is generally considered to be better (both generally and employment wise)?
2. At the end of these schemes, is it a case of "here is a job with airline x, it has the following pay and conditions - take it or leave it"?
3. What are the general working patterns of a pilot? Is it 4 days on, 3 days off etc?
4. Once you are in a job (say after completion of the scheme), how secure is it?
5. Approximately how long does it take to pay off the expense of training
Also, in terms of the finances, does anyone know of people who have undertaken one of these schemes (CTC/Oxford) and subsequently found themselves in financial ruin? Any answers/comments would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers!