Everything is subjective if all of the above work for poor employers then that is their only view on things, however if you work for a good employer (as I do) then your views would be very different ! It all depends who you offer your services to !
Who you offer your services to? Maybe you got fortunate SEAMASTER? Anyway, whilst there are 'good' jobs in the UK, they appear to be in the minority. BA ended recruitment at the beginning of this year amid the purchase of bmi by IAG, there were notable changes to the pay scales of new joiners introduced. Virgin has made a small amount of recruitment, however there has been countless debates over the long term stability of the operation and the prospects on offer. Thomson are recruiting for their 737 fleet, however they specify NG experience and offer full time, part time contracts where the cost of the conversion course and line training will be bourn by the employee in their first year. I think the only people who bucked the trend were Monarch, who were able to offer their established package? Might be wrong?
Jet2 seem only interested in offering seasonal placements, EasyJet prefer Flexicrew cadets and don't seem to be offering permanent UK positions, and Ryanair....need you even ask?
Supply still continues to outstrip demand, with the big FTOs regularly pumping out 200hr wonder-kids who have assessment dates lined up at the big two lo-co's before the ink sets on their licences. Unfortunately this has led to once valued experience, much like your own, being regarded as an expensive commodity. It's a shame really, however market forces prevail.
Some debate that it may take an accident which points the finger at experience levels and working practices on the flightdecks of particular airlines. The often cited example is the Colgan Airways Q400 in the US. Others suggested that the decline in growth of the larger loco's who favour such recruitment would inevitably lead to further diminished prospects and t&c's, so much to the point that viability no longer exists. Seasonal contracts and the reduction in contracted hours have made there way into both Easyjet and Ryanair. Unfortunately there has been no let up in applicants, with the large FTOs unashamedly marketing these two as the only real path into the industry in Europe. With people willing to fly for nothing, what does anyone expect?