It is debatable which is more painful, the old self-improver method with periods of unemployment and very low pay as ferry pilot, instructor, air tax/bush pilot, gradually working up to regionals and through turbo prop command before landing a job as a jet FO, but paid by each employer (usually poorly until jet) and no type ratings to pay, or the new route of straight from school into a well decent pay jet position with the burden of paying for ratings and no salary until on line... Either way was financially crippling at the time, but I certainly couldn't afford a London flat or a new BMW/Audi like the new cadets while I worked my way up. I don't like the zero-hour contracts at all, but I think the modern cadets have the easier deal!