That article is dated by at least 20-25 years.
It sounds very much of the regulated US airline industry of the early 80's.
Even then, most pilots came from the Air Force and Navy, complete with qualifications and military pension.
Fast forward into the 90's and a completely different picture emerged. Pilots racking up large debt going to flying school, then going to commuter airlines, flying to backwater destinations to rack up hours at an hourly rate that even McDonalds would beat. All for the hopes of getting enough hours to get hired by a major carrier and also hoping that it wouldn't go out of business.
Completely different picture.