Errrm, sorry, I don't follow any of that.
Who are "express"?
The airline offering me the job don't have their own simulator, they use external agencies to train and test their pilots. Why would they pay for my type rating renewal when they can get somebody else already current?
I've been offered the position as a favour to an existing employee. This is strictly on the understanding that it doesn't cost the airline a penny more than taking on another pilot with a current rating.
I wouldn't call that unreasonable, sounds like good business sense to me. This is totally different to those airlines accepting keen young "pay to fly" cadets that then fly the line for six months for nothing.
I could simply refuse to pay to renew my rating....... no problem......... the airline would then employ another pilot who doesn't need a rating renewal. The airline saves itself €20,000+ and I'm out of a job!
Nobody said life was easy!
Regards suffering humiliation in the sim at 3am? I've attended many a sim session in the early hours of the morning and haven't humiliated myself yet?