Pirate
I must take issue with your "even helicopter pilots ..." bit. In the RAF, the 'pecking order' of ability starts (obviously) at fast-jet, then goes to helicopter, and then multi-engine (ie transports). Student pilots can be 'chopped' from helicopters and subsequently go on to fly C130, Tristar, C17 etc.
A lot of airline recruiters know this, and formulate their policies accordingly.