TBH,
The only way this will stop is if the potential aviators say " no way " before entering training. IE reject the industry in this format .
Yes, we used to have the self improver route.I pushed planes etc then instructed - in the UK this route is not really available anymore. There are very few small companies and only about three TP airlines to try, and even if you do end up with 20T TP time, the ways into the major airlines are barred mainly.
As for this " naive 20 year old" , I had an instructing colleague who paid for a B737 rating with British Midland in 1995 !! This is not the youngsters fault, it's been creeping in for at least 18 years. Why did he do it ? No jobs !