Most "sweaters" probably would have applied and been thankful for the endowment. However, I think what perterbes most hard working SA pilots about this issue is the attitude of these individuals after they have "earned their wings" and been flying with the feeders or SAA for a while . The minority acknolwedge and are thankful for the blessing they acquired through this scheme but then there are those arrogant fellows who become backstabbers in the airlines. I know of a captain for SAA who happened to do a flight to Atlanta while Sun 'n Fun was running down in Florida. He invited all of his flight deck crew along. The FO was of the previous "disadvantaged" era and he declined the offer from the captain. The captain, obviously shocked as to why this pilot had absolutely no interest in one of the coolest airshows in the US, querried the FO why he didn't want to go. His reply was that he wasn't interested in seeing aircraft at airshows.
The the captain asked him what his interests are...
The reply? "Soccer" ...
