Agree the standards are very high at the moment and if that persists they will have a shortage. Not that there is a shortage of good pilots! I do hope (& pray) things improve!
Putting on my cyincal hat; if the airlines go short, they just start sponsorship rather than recruit unemployed low hours! No wonder many airlines may a loss!
eg. Flybe spends £50K plus TR on its students when there are hundreds of competent indivuduals out there. Then they all eventually leave.
Did you say airlines were no stupid!
I look forward to having a good discussion with you in the crew room one day!