Every once in a while I hear the ex-military guys bitch and moan about civilian pilots who actually paid their way to become pilots. Civilians just couldn't make the grade, so they went out and bought a civilian license instead. Basicly, in the words of Catans, were "
willing to whore themselves out and go into debt to buy a job."
It's all a matter of perspective.
That being said; anyone willing to pay out of pocket for route competence training? Or landing recency requirements? How about cashing out for the low vis training once a year? Forking over a few hundred bucks to the checker as you complete your annual line check? It's not gonna stop until the profession no longer attracts the minimum required competence. Sadly, that minimum is getting lower every minute of every hour of every day.