Back in 2013 there was an intake of direct entry second officers. Only A handful of people. Hasn't been another round of direct entry second officers since, to my knowledge there are no plans for there to be any. All low hour recruitment now goes through the apprentice route. Hope that helps.

Build some hours on type at a P2F scheme, such as Lion Air and the like. Just don't pick up any bad habits. Lots of guys I fly with here have come rated on the 73 from the likes of Lion, Air Baltic, Air Maroc etc. It's one way to get the 737 hours you need for a FO position, providing the finances will allow of course.

Am I reading this correctly, you are advocating somebody use P2F!!! NO NO NO NO!!!

Q1 - not sure, give them a call, they will talk to you and tell you.
Q2 - Yes.

My suggestion if the answer to Q1 is no, get yourself a job with a regional, get a couple of years experience, then you'll be more marketable. DO NOT P2F!!!

What he says, avoid P2F.

Not advocating it, I'm actually against it.

However at 40 years old with just an ATPL and no hours it's likely one of the few ways to get some experience.

Surprisingly, the guys I've flown with who have done this route are actually quite good.

Unfortunately I don't see many regional airlines that will take a chance on a middle-age newbie, but I hope I'm wrong.

Odins Raven is spot on and illustrates the reality gap between the haves and the have nots.

Haha, I don't consider myself 'middle aged' but I know what you mean.

I have a few options hopefully, mainly down to connections made whilst training. (One of the forgotten benefits of going modular) I just wondered whether it would be worth applying to Jet2 which would enable me to move back home. I will give them a ring.

For the record I have absolutely no intention of paying to work, ever.

.....and good on you for stating that fact Felix. :D

Why do you consider yourself too old for the apprentice route Felix?

Flyer4life

Regards your question; you could enquire with Jet2's Aircrew Manager as he is an ex EZY pilot who happens to be responsible for recruitment and he is also quite a decent chap.

At least he was when he was here!

I received my reject letter today, but I can't fault HR at all. Fast and honest answers, all you would wish for (except the job!)

At my age, whilst I appreciate any job for a low houred pilot will come with a low income I would like to at least be in a cockpit building up my hours and working towards the higher pay. I have a family to support.

I can see why it would be a great route for a 20 something with no real world work experience but I did my time as an office junior long ago.

Type rating...
 

...the pay isn't brilliant, but you don't have to pay for a type rating after the 12 months. So work out how much you'd have to earn to pay for your TR at places like FR, and add that on to the low salary for the first 12 - 18 months. It doesn't look quite so bad then.