I found the ATP interview process quite thorough, and only 25% were offered a place on the Airline Qualification Course.
CTC make it very clear on the selection day and in all paperwork that the prospect of a placement for ATP candidates is reliant on cadets being placed.
They are upfront about the numbers of candidates in the hold pool, the numbers placed this year, the numbers 're-placed' after their contracts were cancelled, and the number of speculative type-ratings CTC has paid for on behalf of candidates, and so on, which is all you can ask in the current climate.
Is it not preferable to be employed for 6 months over the summer than to remain unemployed? We're not talking about what's ideal or even fair. We're talking about making the most of a bad situation.