Groundloop,
Well, everything in the airline biz comes down to money. If there's no empirical need for cadet/ab initio programs (I'm not interested in slight differences in definition), i.e., can't find pilots from usual sources, there's no reason for an airline HERE to undertake the expense and administration of one. And that's certainly the case at the major/legacy level in the USA. The pressure is on the lower tiers: regionals, Part 135, etc.
As some have mentioned, one fundamental difference in off-the-street hires vs home grown product is the selection process. Make 'em at home ? Get to choose the raw material. Whether that guarantees anything is debatable. JB claims a rigorous selection process:
" Applicants will undergo a series of assessments aimed at identifying those who demonstrate the qualities needed to become a high-performing pilot. The evaluation is based on recommended International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) pilot competencies and JetBlue’s own selection criteria, including commitment to JetBlue’s unique customer-focused culture."
At any rate, it's all a new thing over here.
ALPA's statement:
http://www.alpa.org/news-and-events/...select-program