Bottom Line
I am going to the states to do all my training at a JAR-FCL approved FTO.
It will cost me £30k instead of £65k.
The airlines are no different from any other corporation - if you are impressive enough you will get a job.
Pass first time - get over 85% - no problem (gulp!!!).
If I dont get a job for a year - no big deal I have £35k left in my pocket to either sit on my ar*e or I can build my hours as an instructor.
You are all worrying too much - if you can afford it do the course at Oxford - simply because of the higher number of introductions to Airlines and the guarantee that you will be geeting excellent instruction. Plus the name can't hinder you.
I, on the other hand cannot afford £65k, therefore I will just have to work harder and perform better.
Best of luck to all of you - we are all quite mad but lifes too bloody short to sit festering behind a desk for ever.
See you all at 35,000 feet.
Phil