Agreed the big schools/pilot mills and the advent of MPL have reduced the opportunities for experienced TP pilots but also for all who undertook an apprenticeship so called self improver route. This means a TP Captain stays in seat longer, the FO can't upgrade to Captain and is squeezed by lower ts&cs of new MPL cadets joining. Meanwhile the experienced FIs and ex Mil can't get a look in for their first airline job.
Sadly P2F is alive and well in the UK and EU even in 2014. Whilst EZY may have stopped what they allowed in 2008/2009, the Flexi cadet scheme is still poorly paid under the sub contracted scheme. RYR/CAE TR scheme does not gtee a call for employment and the vast majority of FOs are effectively self employed but with one customer which is questioned by the tax authorities across the EU.
Have a look at the a330 scheme run by iago:
P2F pax continues - even in the UK ! [Archive] - PPRuNe Forums
Interesting that Flybe have cut back on jets and gone more TP over past couple of years.
Some enlightened employers realise the folly of zero to hero and demand their MPL cadets get TP or regional time before flying JAR25 jets.
Thankfully our American cousins have gone the other way - some (mostly pilot mill employees) complain its 1430h too far when an MPL can be achieved with just 70h real flying.
Biz jet world still seem to appreciate TP pilot experience and some such companies start employees on B200.