Only it's not the same. There is no such thing as a line. No one is entitled to a position, or a spot in some line, based on their perceived experience. I have repeatedly tried to work for companies that would rather hire a fresh graduate from a top school instead of myself, with years of experience in my field. That's just life and there are always people that have an easier path to your goal, but that alone does not make it wrong and I don't resent those people.

How many of those same pilots would have jumped on this opportunity had it been available to them when they were starting? Do you really think they would have thought "Nah, I'd rather fly at the Regionals for seemingly endless years while enduring poor QOL and struggling to pay back my training loans, so I can pay my dues!" Give me a break.

Is the position from more experienced folk really "Well, they didn't suffer like I did so we won't respect them". Come on. Aviation training in America needs a re-birth, the profession is suffering at the entry-mid level (although improving somewhat); whether this program will succeed or not is yet to be known, but give credit to JetBlue for at least trying something new.

People that flow through this program are earning their position (which JetBlue gets to decide), albeit in a different way. They are paying for their own training, earning the same ratings, and have to pass the same tests. If they flop, they drop, and they only have themselves to blame.

For those waiting for a call, take out your frustration on greedy Management that has eroded the profession and helped foster an unhealthy Regional model, not on these guys wanting to jump on an opportunity.
The industry simply can't rely on people wanting to fly for nothing anymore, as evidenced by the weekly "PILOT SHORTAGE DOOM" articles that keep popping up.

To the OP: You really need to do your homework. There's considerable information on the web, these forums (and others), about interviewing with the airlines. Had you checked, you would have found sufficient answers, and would have known this particular thread would not be well received here.