I would like to make a few observations:
1) The whole system of self-sponsored 'zero to hero' flying training and type-rating training (sometimes to include even line training) actually only came about because of the huge growth in air travel over the past 10-20 years and subsequent growth in world airliner fleets, with the advent of LCC's, huge growth in the ME region, huge growth in business and private aviation, etc, etc. If the demand was not there from the airlines the whole concept never would have got of the ground to the extent that it has. Therefore, it is a function of the demand for air travel after all.
2) This situation (given the current economic climate) where jobs are far and few between is causing many pilots to be resentful of the current situation (and I do not blame them - it is a natural reaction to trying to support a family without a job).
But given the massive financial turmoil in the world and multiple airline failures it is hardly fair for everyone to blame self sponsored pilots for their personal circumstances. Two of my previous companies are bust and I also have talented friends lose jobs in non flying related industries so it is not just pilots who are suffering the consequences.
The flying training organisations that offer these types of arrangements have a vested interest in their success (business failure being the other result) so will use every conceivable marketing tool and method - not just to potential candidates but cash starved airlines as well - to sell the benefits of their wares.
Herein lies the problem for me. How can a profit maximising company that has a vested interest in passing as many candidates as possible maintain standards? Especially when the standards of some of the candidates are so poor? There seems to be a conflict of intertest here.
But on the other side of the coin I have been involved in recruitment projects for previous employers who have set high experience standards only to be criticised by the great deal of applicants who simply do not meet these criteria.
So where is the middle ground?