Similar story from me.....
Everybody on my upgrade course at Prestwick back in 96 got a job. I think the longest wait was about a year. Airlines who hired us were BRAL, Brymon, Easyjet, GB Airways, BA, Britannia, Jersey (British) European and there must be some I don't know about. Most guys who were on turboprops for their first job are now on A320 / B757 / B737 / B767. I think 5 to 8 years of unemployment in the present climate is unrealistic!