If it doesn't pay to do it then don't do it. However, I think the maths must work out in favour of the pilot because there is a queue of wannabes who want to do it.
It seems implausible to me that intelligent pilots cannot work out the cost-benefit case. Pilots choose an expensive - but highly rewarding (in terms of job satisfaction and remuneration) - career and it costs a lot to get to a point where the money rolls in. Some choose to mitigate the expense by getting the taxpayer to fund their training but for many the incovenience of 18 years military service means they have to fund their first steps up the airstairs.
Pilots are not unique in this regard. Most HGV drivers fund their own training as do a substantial proportion of bus/coach drivers, builders, plumbers, joiners, divers etc - whilst the cost of training is lower so are the ultimate rewards. How many careers are there where the wannabe doesn't do some of the funding.
No investment, no reward......that's life!