Although he did need a healthy dose of reality; I think we've beat the kid up enough. He probably feels worse right now than we could make him feel anyway. The problem nowadays is generally two fold. These kids are not receiving a proper introduction to aviation. This is because there are not enough oldtimers/experienced pilots hanging around the airport, dispensing advice to these kids anymore. No one is telling them how important PIC time is or that it is still a good idea to know how to fly an NDB approach or hold or to get your CFI or to do a W&B in 90 seconds. It is difficult for them to perform their due dilligence as they largely do not know what questions to ask. We need to be proactive with these kids and supply them with the information they need to make an informed decision about whether or not to even enter this field. Recently I attempted to play a game of "What If" to a student, He did not understand and thought I was picking on him. Years ago when the flight schools were very busy we used to do this all the time and learned a great deal from it. Sometimes challenging each other as we passed in a hallway. The other issue is the advent of the regionals. With the regionals reaching critical mass the puppy mills exploded. Cranking out newbies with the bare minimum, legal, qualifications. They have to trust someone so they trust that the school will take care of them. The schools are not taking care of them or looking out for their best interests. It is a whole different deal than the situation that many of us learned to fly in. The regionals have created a new "Norm". This results in a great disservice to the student and the industry in general. This is why we have this kid and thousands like him in the same boat and thinking 1500 hours is "great experience"... Lets spend more than 5 minutes with these kids and help them. Give them real career guidance so they are properly informed and know what to expect. I love to promote aviation but I will be the first one to tell someone they might want to choose an alternate path. I flew with a person who was a terrible pilot. We came to the conclusion that they probably should not fly, at all! They were however very intelligent and went on to a great career as an air traffic controller.