In many ways it would be reasonable to suggest that the airline employment situation now is closer to normality than it was before 9/11! It is unlikely that airline cadet schemes will return in significant numbers for two or three years, maybe longer. For the forseeable future, the only guaranteed way of getting an ATPL is either to pay for it yourself, or join the RAF (or RN), do 16 years and get it paid for you. In fact, that way you might end up with an airline job before some of those that do it themselves!. .(Joke, chaps, OK?)