Modular vs Integrated has been covered ad infinitum but:
I cannot think of another example, for anything, where the all inclusive package deal that has everything stripped to the bare minimum can cost more.
Integrated is the equivalent of the factory line product - each student supposedly identical and making the minimum standard.
Modular (when completed continuously and with the CPL and IR through the same school) is the equivalent of a hand made product. Production can be slowed down or speed up as appropriate for each individual dependant of which parts they are struggling with and which parts they breeze through. You get 25% more flying time included as standard. A training record can be provided in the same way as the integrated course.
Where schools like Oxford provide both modular and integrated using the same syllabus and instructors, only with more flying time for the modular course, how can anyone argue that the modular guys are not as good a product?
Any preference by airlines for integrated graduates exists purely as a business arrangement between the schools and airlines - so that the schools can make more money. The only exception is when a modular student has an untraceable training record (due to it taking place over a long time with many different schools - something that hardly anyone does).
The bitterness about this subject, the self funded type ratings and pay to fly is due to the sheer desperation felt by so many who have sunk so much time and money into pursuing a career that for the majority is hopeless. As other more desperate people try to jump the queue at any expense we all bicker and snap at each other.
We are like rats, fighting and climbing on top of each other trying to escape a sinking ship. To anyone who wants to ignore the warnings and chuck all their money away to join us in this cr@ppy situation, you will be making it slightly more hopeless but what's the difference between hopeless and more hopeless? Remember once the money is spent, it's gone. There is no going back and if you can't use that little blue book to get a paid flying job, it is then worthless for any other job. How long do you keep chucking good money after bad to keep it current before you resign yourself to another career (which may need it's own qualifications)? If there is a loan it will take many years of hard work in a well paid job to pay off and all for nothing.
It's depressing but no one should be making such important decisions with their eyes shut. The fact is that of the thousands coming out of training each year only a very small number are 'lucky' enough to get the chance to blow another £30K to work for Easyjet or Ryanair on a contract with no job security.
Last edited by Pelikanpete; 13th Feb 2011 at 13:48.