How about this

applicant A 8000 hrs total, 5000 jet PIC, 1000 Turboprop PIC, 500 turboprop SIC, 3 type ratings but no 737

applicant B 2500 hrs total, 500 PIC turboprop, 500 SIC turboprop, 2 type ratings 1 prop and 1 737 (0 jet time exect for the 737 sim)

Now realistically who is more qualified.

I can't believe that you think that it is worse to have an applicant get the type rating after he/she has been offered the job. At least they have a job rather than just the hope of getting an interview and then hoping that they are even offered the job. I know more people now that havn't gotten the job than have and all they have to show for it is a bill for $5000-$7000 and a type rating that is virtually useless.

It is detrimental to the industry to have you pay for the type. It may not be to the company but it is to the pilots. Would it be detrimental if southwest made you pay for your upgrade? Imagine if all airlines required you to be typed or quallified to fly their airplane. Let's add it up.

United 737 type, 320 type, 727 FE (old), DC-10 FE
Continental 737 type, 75/67 type 777 type
American 737 type M-80, type
Northwest DC-9 type, 320 type
Delta MD-80 type, 737 type
Southwest 737 type
Airtran 717 type
Frontier 320 type
JetBlue 320 type
FedEx 727 FE, DC-10Fe, A300
UPS 727 FE, 747 FE, 757

You would need to have a 727, 737,747FE, 75/67, 777, 300, 320, dc9, DC10 type ratings or FE certificates.

I hear the argument that says you have to think of it as getting your masters degree but dammn that would be one expensive masters.

On a side note I don't think southwest will ever change it because all of their pilots have already payed for it and they aren't going anywhere. Why would they give something up to get something that wouldn't do them (individually) any good.