Hand Solo,
I hear what you are saying, and can't really disagree with it, however, I wonder if looking at it from a beancounters (that I am not btw) point of view in a time when the company undoubtedly will be looking for savings accross the board the arguments will still hold up?
Much as I've heard the arguments many times before, for the life of me I cannot make the figures stack up. If you can select the right person (yes, I know it's an IF) with CPL/IR (MCC) in hand, surely the only cost is that of a type rating plus base training. But, you'd have that cost with your cadets as well, but before they got there, you's have shelled out goodness know what up front. Sure you can right it off, and might get it back with a reduced salary over the next x years, but the problem for the company presumably is short term cash flows, and whereas the self improver may prove more risky, it does require less cash up front.
Am I being a bit dim, or am I missing the point here? Someone enlighten me.
PS