Ha...no I just sink my teeth into something and hang on. I feel I've learned a lot and have changed my thoughts a lot since the start of this thread though.

The pay for training thing is related but still a separate issue imo. It still goes on in Europe as well as "pay to fly" programs that are even scarier. The problem is when you have enough entry level pilots with no experience willing to displace more experienced pilots who actually have come to expect to be paid for their time. Airlines are inclined to "reach down" to the bottom of the barrel rather than hire the most qualified applicants...unless they are also willing to start at entry level wages.

Hopefully such practices naturally balance out over time as people don't bother to pursue a career where there is little opportunity for advancement to higher pay. I don't think we are seeing that phenomenon though. I think we are simply seeing that too many airlines are reaching for the bottom of the barrel at the same time and finding there's not much left but the more expensive and more experienced pilots floating near the top....so they cry "pilot shortage" when there are still plenty of (higher qualified) pilots in that barrel.