You are correct FFF, cash is only one factor in getting a flying job, there is aptitude, mental capacity, confidence, medical fitness and load of others.
The point I am trying to make (badly maybe) is this:
You can take 2 equally educated, skilled, well-rounded guys and start them on the wannabe trail....
They may be just as confident and able as each other, but if one happens to be 'Tarquin', he will have access to the best integrated ATPL training on the planet, an almost unlimited pot of hours in which to get it right for the IR, and (probably most importantly) his own type rating..... and the other guy, well, he can't afford his own type rating yet, but he's a damn good AFI at XXXXXXX flying club.
Now you send our 2 wannabes into the same interview, and who is the one that stands the best chance by miles of being hired? (Assuming they perform similarly on the day).
That's why it doesn't seem right that some guys can literally buy themselves into this profession (if they happen to have the aptitude, etc), while others like me and Ncusack have to bide our time and work for the privelige.
And yes, I have met many 'Tarquins' in the 8 years I have been flying, some were rich and well-balanced people.....
..... and some were inbred gits who had nothing going for them but their aptitude and their money. (And I KNOW some of them are with airlines right now.)