Capt. Underpants / aztec and others thanks for your thoughts on this one.
Have spoken to a couple of friends who fly here in Europe as FOs and they don't seem to think spending 4 + years sitting in a jumpseat and not logging any 'real' hours is a great idea. Of course, it's easy to say that if you're already employed as a pilot, but it does make sense.
Undertaking 14 months of intensive training only to be told I can't actually handle the plane for TO/L for several years would most likely mean boredom and frustration (for me at least).
I guess this cadet scheme IS a good idea for those perhaps in their early 20s and single who can afford to spend their first few years in CX not logging any P2 time ... I'm 28 and starting to think it may be wiser to spend 4 years logging actual P2 time (hopefully) after finishing training.
Thanks again guys ... and if anyone has a different perspective feel free to chime in ...good luck to everyone else.
Again, not trying to sound ungrateful or arrogant ... I guess this just doesn't suit everyone ....