"Although I fail to see why someone is so smug in passing on the information that will dampen the hopes of quite a few wannabees. "
Oi! SD!..... "Smug"? You humourless herbert!
I was merely posting a few facts which may be of help to some people.
From experience, the New First Officer stereotype is pretty accurate. I flew with a guy the other day for which image was everything. He had in his bag a uniform cap with gold leaves on the peak. He'd bought it on the internet, and said he wore it when waiting at the bus stop. Although his suede shoes detracted somewhat from the overall effect.