Whether it is up for debate or not is a moot point, but why do you think that the airlines do take integrated students before modular?
Clearly I don't know enough about it, but I don't accept the harsher IR examiner theory, and, to me, integrated = not enough hours to FATPL, modular = barely enough hours to FATPL. All of this whilst trying to cram in theory learning whilst flying, surely all the info will just fall out again?
Maybe the airlines WANT people who don't know enough so they can teach them everything they know? Or does it just boil down to old fuddy duddies doing the selection being fooled into thinking that integrated is the old self improver replacement? It'd be ironic if that was the case, because if anything the modular route is the new self improver route, but with far fewer hours achieved than previously. Or is it the old boys club when it comes to recruitment recommendations? Or is it just a matter of prestige versus good old fashioned teaching?
Perhaps your (somewhat arrogant and precocious) claim is true - integrated students get an easier ride into jobs, what I am saying is that if so then it's the wrong choice; there again there isn't a good choice: whoever you get is wet behind the ears when it comes to flying with barely 220 hours to his/her name (or YIKES 170 hrs? Here's the keys to my Jet!
). That said it is not easy to pass a CPL/IR, and when you've managed that you've proved something about yourself, no matter how you got there.