Welcome to the world of exploitation.
Student are marching in the UK over 'outrageous' University fees of £9,000 per annum. Given that most degree courses are 3-5 years that will give you a student loan repayment (not including living costs) of between £27,000-£45,000 on completion. They see this, quite rightly given the current Governments pre election promises, as unacceptable.
You are willing to put up £80,000+, not inclusive living costs, for a two year course to enter a flooded market that is subject to extreme volitility due recession, technology, conflict and oil price. Does that sound like a good idea, really?
The problem comes when the companies started to realise that there was no point in paying for cadetschemes to train people based upon ability when they would 'prostitute' themselves finacially to achieve 'the dream'. When they then further fleeced them to pay for their own type ratings, JOC and MCC the accountants realised they could sell the RHS for greater returns than any other seat in the cabin.
The training schools must love this approach. They ply their trade and 'Future Pilot Symposiums' and continue to promise the world wide pilot shortage that was being plugged back in the early 80's when I started.
Simply put, the pilot shortage will NEVER happen whilst people are so prepared to invest ludicrous amounts of money into schemes which will put them heavily into debt with no guarantee of a position to be able to service the debt. A fact you have at least discovered prior to commencing the slippery slope. Whilst the bean counters can rely upon a steady stream of young people being fed a line from unscrupulous Traing colleges there will never be a return to Airline sponsered cadet schemes.
BA, at least, has seen the benefit in recruiting for ability instead of cash (IMHO). Whilst the FPP program isn't perfect you do get the initial funding returned to you and you are, more or less, guaranteed a job dependant upon the current economic climate. To be honest probably about the best you are going to get looking at the state of major players (LH, AA, AF/KLM and IB).
Well done for realising that all is not well and rosy in the airline world before starting. It's better to go into something like this with your eyes wide open. Believe me that the grass always looks greener from the other side of the fence. After 10 years plugging mediocre SH routes from dawn till dusk, the green grass fades quite rapidly when you realise for 8 months of the year you are paying the tax man and for the remaining 4 you are paying your loan provider.
Enjoy, Per Ardua ad Astra, through adversity to the stars!!!
