Ya, this is the problem.
The previous case in point.
Someone who wanted to fly from day one, worked his butt off to get to their dream VS someone who had no idea of what to do, went to Uni 'cause thats what their friends did and then thought that this real world is too hard best I go flying!
What do you have to do to get through to these guys?
Surely some of the highly experienced chaps on the interview panel reading these posts can work something out?
Hrs + Exp VS nothing + degree ??
Or you could move to the Middle east so helen (lower case on purpose) doesn't get your $$$$