What do you mean, when they need bodies to fill seats due to retirements? Use knowledge and skills. Make the pilots that want these positions apply for them (like every other business). These are not insurmountable tasks. Many simulators can be set up to "score" performance, coupled with objective tests and scenarios. It doesn't require a scored-sim, written test, interview, or anything else specifically, but there are lots of options available, options that could be streamlined and still totally functional. Modern HR departments are very objective due to the requirement to protect themselves from lawsuits. This would be a shock of course to transition from the entitlement mentality to the "I actually have to apply for my next position", but it's easily doable for everyone involved and IMO, would force companies to be competitive with each other.