Rob (if I may call you Rob!),
I dont doubt for a minute that this is an area a humble fATPL could not adequately comment on.
I dont want to rebut what you said and agree with you that 'only those with several years and a company or two under their belts could effectively slap down?' (your point) which I can agree with in many ways.
I think your points were made in a harsh manner. Thats all.
Any newly qualified person in any profession hoping to gain an entry level position against much competition has only their perception of that profession built upon the views of their peers and those they have experienced in the training enviroment. Reading websites like these are so useful in presenting a more realistic picture but postings like yours are just disheartening.
We look up to you after all.
But hey, its not your job to worry about our state of mind.
Guess I should get back onto the subject; I welcome the views of anybody lookin for any job within the forum.