You've been had, either by the system or by the employees. So for anyone else reading this, when you go for an interview with a reputable airline, they buy your ticket. Real airlines have the ability to push out tickets to whomever they wish. If the person you are speaking with doesn't have the clout to give you a ticket, they wont have the clout to employ you. You'll just be speaking with a bottom feeder. Even when contracting I've had my tickets purchased. So so ticket, no interview, no exceptions!