You guys are all making a big deal about something so simple to understand.
Supply and demand. There are too many pilots chasing too few jobs. As a result, the airlines can get quite creative with their money saving scenarios, knowing full well that there will always be applicants.
When it reverses, when there are not enough applicants and too many jobs, you will suddenly see some very attracted pay packages, and an end to this pay for training. That is why Burger King and the likes have what seems to be better offers than the airlines. Not enough applicants.
We haven't reached that point in the airline industry yet. I'm not too sure we will ever reach it. Take 9 out of 10 pilot wannabes who are just getting started, they'll gladly say "I'll fly for free!" to build experience and get an "in."