Psychological buildup?
 

I think this is part of the psychological buildup that is used to create supposed "skygods". The military have been using it for decades, and so, I believe, have Qantas. It makes it possible to boast "we only take the best-XX% don't make it. Many military pilot trainees get "chopped" very late in the training programme. (does it really cost $3,000,000 to learn to fly a PC9?)To me this seems to indicate that something is very wrong, and they are mis-using my tax money.
But the airlines are only able to do this when there are plenty of wannabies. Or when pilots don't realise what is happening.
Having said that, the airlines are working for their shareholders, and so they will pick pilots who are already trained and rated if they can, because it's cheaper. Maybe some from overseas. Are overseas simulators and/ or flying schools any cheaper than Australian ones? Can some Govt money be had by some means? I wonder if some overseas pilot training is already happening for our airlinesl
Interesting times. Getting much like GA.