I am very serious.
Someone well selected and trained for the job from day one is a very good asset on the flight deck, as time goes on and experience is gained they only improve. The 2000 hr self improver has not been trained from day one for the job, his experience in flying small single engined aircraft be it instructing or some other way is largely irrelevant to airline operations. However as time goes on there is very litttle difference between the two. As i have said I have worked with both for years and certainly in the early stages the low time well trained pilot is of more value on the flight deck.... just my experience.
KLM , Lufthansa , BA etc have been recruiting low time pilots from reputable schools for years and years. Not because its cheaper its because of the quality of the end product. speaks for itself really.
And before you all ask............... I am a self improver!!