Bealzebub is right, it's the only way in at the moment.
But...
At eJ we now have in the order of 500 flexi pilots who don't work for us but fly our aircraft. Here is the situation:
- Some are paid £1200 for 8 months, then nothing for 2.5 months, then hourly.
- Most have repayments of around £1000 pcm.
- If you have any form of asset or security, then the bank will up the repayment to £1300, so you default and they will get the asset. Many have declared bankruptcy, ruining their financial lives for decades to come.
- Those with no assets and unsecured loans are given smaller repayments, like £800. Still only £400 to live on.
- You may live in LGW but will be based in GLA, while your Glaswegian mate will be based in LGW. You can't swap, because nobody cares.
- Most are not given any leave, with some now having gone more than a year on random roster with not a single day of leave.
- Selection has not been rigorous, resulting in a variable quality of cadet. This has changed a little now, since our serious incident, so expect the real possibility of being chopped in base training or line training.
- The A320 series is a poor trainer. Some manage to get to grips with the basics of flight after a while, others don't.
- Don't expect to end up on a proper contract with a proper employer. The abuse does not end with the cadet schemes - you may be offered a job eventually, but it may be on different terms to the existing employees.
I would advise someone to take on the MPL if, and only if:
- You have £105,000 cash now that you are prepared to blow, with nothing to show for it at the end.
- You are happy to be abused for many years.
- You do not expect to earn what existing captains are earning now. Ever.
- You are certain you have the entire skill set to see you through to becoming a good pilot.
- You think that it's fair enough to work for significantly poorer terms and conditions than others around you.
- You accept that others will blame (rightly or wrongly) you for the deterioration in T&Cs in the industry.
- You are happy to never know what you are doing next month and never be able to get leave when you want.
It's barely worth it on a full captain's package.
Be wise.