Fast Gal and others,
Just like to say good luck wherever you all end up.
The main thing about the 'self-improving' route is commitment. You may find - as I did - that you get so in-hock with the banks that the only way to ever pay them back is to keep going and get that 1st job. Even then it wasn't until 8 years later and my second job that I finally got back in the black. My average overdraft throughout my training was 24k!
Reading this post - it seems that nothing has changed. I couldn't get sponsorship from BA - I was too old at 24! Still, you get there in the end - if you're determined enough.
ATB,
Underdog
ps Simchick - we're not all 'bratty' pilots at BA! Love & Kisses etc...