It seems to picking up yes this is true ! Since I started flying I remember from my instructors telling me that a TR is the minimum you should have to enter an airline.
Those instructors also paid for their own TR even if that was years back. I think this trend will never change. The only thing that is changing so badly is the hour requirement on-type and some more wealthy P2F pilots don't stop doing this.
That P2F game is what is changing the rules.
So again I believe self-funded TR is still a good investment in the long-term !Someday you will have to pay this money to get a job with an airline.