I joined easyJet on a self sponsored type rating then flexi crew scheme.. I am now a permanent employ on a fantastic European contract, enjoying 5/4/5/3 roster lifestyle and i'm very happy here.
Each to their own, I like coming home every night.
But I don't think the comment about pay 2 fly cadets becoming pay 2 fly captains is valid, in Ryanair maybe, but at least in EJ we have a "carrot on a stick" of a perm. at the end of the flexi period.