Very good posts so far, so I will give my 2 euro cents.
Those ex-military will remember that we got hired, into the military, from the street with no or little flying experience. However, the difference then is that the failure rate was around 35-40% of those starting flying training to those checking out on to a squadron. Probably the same for the GA guys and self-improvers, but you had to spend your own money somewhere down the line, the military guys got it for the Queen's shilling.
Fast forward to the present day. CX are only hiring cadets so there are no experienced pilots bringing their family to HKG, we are only employing persons in their early 20's, people with nothing to give, everything to take, and of course, in 10 years time, so the recruiters will tell, you will be a well-paid captain on the base of your choice.
QUESTION: How many fail cadet training? How many fail SO training?
By simply allowing the person to progress, (perhaps because you do not want to be involved in someone being sacked or more likely out of apathy), the future generation of pilots will be hamstrung with the less able. The gene pool will be diluted. An failure rate of at least 10% should, normally be expected. Sadly this is the chosen path for CX.
The past mission statement to be the best airline in the world has been eroded to become: The Cheapest Airline in the World.