Most who have begun flying in the last decade have paid their own way. No one forced us to sign up for a SSTR. I would think it would take a special sort of person, who having got to the fATPL stage and receiving an offer would decline it for the greater good of the pilot workforce.
Cannot see that it will ever go back to the 'good old days'. I don't think i would have the job i have under the old system, so it would a bit pointless to moan about the debt that goes with it.