point of order
an examiner does not "fail" a pilot, the pilot fails to meet the required standard
I wholeheartedly agree. However, on the flight test form I was required to fill out, the result was labeled "passed" or "failed", so it's a little too easy to slip into that language.
You’ve obviously not met some of the “examiners” I met during my time through training 
Yeah, those examiners exist. Unfortunately, they always have, and always will - just as there will always be great Captains and 5-bar Captains. That's why many jurisdictions have some form of tribunal set in place to hold examiners to account. Every single time I had to deliver the bad news that a ride was unsuccessful, it was my job to also inform the pilot of their right to challenge my decision. I know that doesn't exist everywhere, but it is a useful tool to keep examiners in check. And you know what, it helped. A lot.