OK, Send Clowns, I see your point & agree.
I don't claim to speak for everyone else, but there are different reasons why people opt for different methods - the example I quoted was perhaps just part of the overall reason why some people continue to go for the big name schools. Others are because of the well-known name, and perhaps the fact that airline X once trained some of its cadets at that school.
Sometimes laziness & ignorance play a part too. With so much at stake, some people want to believe their version of the truth/that their choice is the "right" choice etc. etc.
I'm about to start on my PPL (before committing any further), so I don't think I'm biased either way (yet).