These are all very interesting points. In fact, I'm more interested in understanding why the bloke in the right seat is there in the first place than out of personal interest in working in the aviation scene.
Are there other areas than GA for aspiring airline pilots who have received their CPL? Can they work in freight/cargo for instance? I'm guessing that instruction is not everyone cup of tea and that should be fine as long as they have other pathways to the clouds.