The pay for training programs of the 1990s demonstrate cash does provide opportunity and advancement and limit those without the means. What happened to those that couldn't afford to drop 10K? They weren't hired. As a result those that could afford it advanced their careers, opportunity, and seniority not based on merit or ability but solely on ability to pay. I'm sure there were lots of equally qualified candidates passed over simply because of finances.

Then there's Gateway 7 here at B6. 125K gets you a slot. Five of those 7 have zero flight time. But the means to pay apparently.