If you have to pay for your own rating and then start on a reduced salary, then paying for your own rating and finding your own job sounds like a better idea, since you would start on full salary! Obviously the job hunting after the rating would be the biggest gamble but your wallet will be in better shape!
Getting a Boeing or an Airbus rating and heading out to the Gulf or Far East could see you starting on a salary that would be significantly higher than Easyjet are offering non bonded pilots!!!!!
Ryanair pays a reduced wage to those low hours guys who pay for their own rating. The first year was 50% reduced and the second year was 75% reduced and finally reaching full pay on year three with the company.
Money is not everything but after getting your blue book it would be nice to clear the debts before the grey hairs set in!
