Here's my scenario...
Mr. FAA comes in as the PIO with no clue and says he needs to fully evaluate the new hire training procedures. He sits through the ground school and moves to the sim training. He has an FAA buddy sit in on the checkride and he passes.
Mr. FAA adds the 737 type to his ticket.
The media then blows this out of proportion to make it look like SWA was buying off Mr. FAA who just got a type benefiting himself. They then make up the $15,000 price tag to pile on recent negative press.
It is very important for Mr. FAA to have a working knowledge of the aircraft and the procedures. It is totally understandable for him to go through a new hire class to educate himself. The type rating benefits his ego, not SWA.
Yes ego. Mr. FAA has a cushy government job and is extremely unlikely to bail on that to persue an airline career with his 737 type rating.
Rant off...