I have 'heard' that even CTC (NZ) is planning to create an MPL course by this years end... that should tell us something... that airlines are indeed 'thinking' about it.
@romeocharlie: In the situation I am (age + finances + current career + life, etc.), I have to take a leap of faith & I want to explore even the remotest chance of being close to an airline, which in this case is the MPL route... due to the sponsoring airline clause...
@LeadSled: I agree, but one will surely face roadblocks even after obtaining an ATPL as conversion of an ATPL explicitly (in case of CASA) stipulates the conversion of CPL too, which an MPL graduate won't have...
@mcgrath50: It does not involve 'less' experience, yes 'easier' maybe, but 'less experience' no! Fact is, to obtain an ATPL you require 1500 hours (250 PIC), & you have to get that regardless if you have an MPL or a CPL. So, either way you get the same experience, theoretically. In reality, MPL being an easier route, it might be that you would end up getting those hours faster because 'MAYBE' the sponsoring airline would hire you as soon as you graduate... ONE PROBLEM, you won’t easily get the PIC that way as the sponsoring airline won’t just let you take over now would they? They would try to keep you hostage so you won’t run away...