RT as you have correctly spotted the course is just the first rung of the ladder, and the experience one is by far the hardest to get at present. If you have some hands-on experience already you may be able to build up hours as a contractor, however you will find few if any employers want somebody with paper qualifications and no experience. Catch-22, many people chasing few jobs and no way in to gain experience unless you already have some. Good luck with that one!
On the plus side if you do get in with an employer in a suitable post and can demonstrate you are a good worker many will put you through the type rating themselves.
At the end wages/conditions are variable and some people are never happy unless they have something to complain about, but the fact that there are so many people wanting to enter the business and so many unwilling to leave says something.