......the new pilots have to acheive a set standard before they are allowed to join the company.
That standard has varied enourmously over the years, with market conditions and pilot turnover being one of the major influences.
My experience
during periods of high pilot turnover/shortage of supply is that recruited pilot standards fall, both in terms of ability and in terms of experience.
One Chief Pilot was once quoted, by several witnesses, as stating that the only objective was to put "bums on seats".
So much for "set standards"!