Someone please correct me if I’m wrong - But in the early 60s United was paying Pilots commercial ratings with a guaranteed job once you passed. A friend of mines dad was one of those - hired in 1963 and retired off the whale in 2000. My airline an ULCC - considered a Major on APC is hiring Purdue grads with the restricted ATP - I believe we have 5 or so now.
Granted they do have 1000 ish hours vs the 250 hour guys in 1963.