To generalise my previous statemens training bonds in the UK vary from 13000 to 42000 for turboprops, though in general they average at 18000 to 20000, with starting salaries between 20-24k. Infact Eastern Airways have now effectively switched from Bonding to a self sponsored scheme, spend 20k on a jetstream rating.
The low cost airlines have created alot of flying jobs that didn't previously exist, so ask yourself what would the pilot employment market be like with out them? Better ts and cs maybe but far less flying jobs.