Flintstone
I think you are too much focused on global things like industry-wide t&c etc. Why don't you want to look on particular case: this guy needs a job to support himself & familty and there is nothing suggests he is a bad pilot. Without TR he don't have a single chance to get a job in current environment.
And by the way I'm one of those who sending CVs to trash bin, so I do not agree people are too much focused whether TR was SS or provided by company. Naturally the preference is given to those who have hours on the type and good references. Then the same but no references. Then TR & no hours gyus. What is left to non-TR pilots? Nothing.
This would change some day but only due to the fact there will be no type rated guys avail on the market.
I'm not talking about major airlines, they can afford a different policy because they are regularly bailed-out by governments anyway.