Still a lot of airlines, i.e. the flag carriers do pay for everything but the airline industry has changed so much since those days for e.g. it has become a lot affordable to travel, increase in airline numbers esp. lo-co, pilots, traffic, so on and so forth.
Perhaps, that has enabled the airlines to 'do whatever they like' i.e. charging for TR, line-training taking advantage of the number of unemployed low-houred pilots out there. They (airlines) have a greater bargaining power. #porters-5-forces
Sadly, this has become a norm and in my humble opinion is considered a shadow industry where revenue is generated through an exploitation. (Hope this doesn't sound very harsh).
Fair or not fair in comparing other industries isn't really relevant here because wether paying for TR or interview assessment is considered paying...? I.e. Does a HR personnel have to pay to get an interview at an airline?
