Another perspective that it’s taken me a long time to appreciate and I think doesn’t really make sense to pilots who are constantly striving to be the best is that HR does not want the best. Their goal is not to seek out the greatest pilots. They want to screen out problem employees.

Which company would you rather run: One with all competent pilots or one with 100% awesome pilots, but a couple who constantly complain and one who does elective castrations in the hotel room during his layovers.