"Its all irrelevant. If you dont go through OAA or CTC its highly unlikely you will secure a job in the UK flying a jet. Thats the top and bottom of it."
That is simply NOT true.
It's probably not true now but I think not to far in the distant future it will be extremely hard to secure an Airline Jet Job unless you go to the likes of OAA and CTC.
I do think you probably still be able to go modular and work you way up the ladder in Corporate though, but if the allure of big shiny jets is what you want Corporates probably not the way forward as you will not be able to apply for jobs because you will be lacking time on type.