The whole thing is a total mess - screwed if you do, screwed if you don't...
Problem is you come out of training, and (as I totally agree you should do) hold off on forking out on a TR (just wrong on all levels and a real gamble) and get a job on civvy street until things get better. However, a few years later you are arguably so far behind the 8 ball - re: currency and experience - that the freshies coming out are going to get hired first.
I've been holding out in civvy street, earning a modest living and waiting patiently for about 3 years now. I wasn't a new starter but a converter and have >1000hrs commercial experience. My concern is am I getting too rusty to get a look-in when things do start to move (and also my age). And this is WITH keeping some flying currency (MEP/IR rating etc).
And hence you end up back at the SSTR argument...etc etc
