Moggie a) Joe Bloggs self sponsored hasn't a clue which airline may offer him a sim assessment in the coming years. b) Virtually all self sponsored guys do their own MCC.
The point I was trying to make was that IDEALLY you would target your MCC to the appropriate airline or have it done by that airline on your first type conversion. I am well aware that most self-sponsored chaps/chapesses have to stump up for their own.
However, I beg to disagree that "changing SOP is harder than learning the first". By and large, SOPs are broadly similar (although some do stand out, the rest are pretty closely grouped). As I said, last time I cast my eyes over the EJ SOP it was a near complete copy of the BA one - and all the others that I have seen in the last few years (Emirates, Icelandair, MYT, Brit, Air Malta) have been VERY much alike. If they were not, we as instructors could not flip flop from one to another several times in a week. the BA SOP is also used by GB Airways, of course.
But, that first SOP you learn is 180 degrees out from the way you fly in obtaining your ATPL/CPL and that IS a challenge. After that they are variations on a theme.
Now, try going from VC10 multicrew SOP to instructing on Harriers - that is a challenge and a half!