I'm rather annoyed by the suggestion that Cherokee Cruiser has influenced me to failure, as I'm sure he is. Cherokee Cruiser has mostly vented his own issues with the hiring process, but with the exception of "don't correct the interviewer when misgendered," he hasn't really given me any actionable advice that could steer me in the wrong direction.
That said, when it comes down to it, I've taken literally everyone's advice here, with the sole exception of "get a degree." People are assuming that I had resources offered that I didn't take based on
@derg 's statement that he offered support. I did ask him for advice, extensively. Among other things, he advised me to do prep, which I did. Many times I'd reach out, we'd pass like ships in the night. He's a busy sort, as I am. I spent pretty much every day off I had before the interview invitation doing interview prep. Heck, I almost bought a $4k custom suit as part of the process, before I found a nice Theory coat and pants that fit me well.
It's funny that back when psych tests were all the rage for hiring, if you didn't fit the profile a company was looking for, people would vehemently argue that it was just how things were, life's not fair, don't have to hire you, etc. They could hire who they wanted. Everybody's got their own path, etc.
But when I assert that I feel like major airlines don't want me based on who I am, suddenly it must be my personal failure, something I did wrong, I didn't take advice, wisdom, help, I "told everyone to • off," and so on.
I ain't the perfect interviewee, but I gave 'em my best me. If that's not good enough, then so be it—obviously I should consider another sort of flying, even though I'm good at this one.
Ain't no thang. Check your group behavioral phenomena, y'all.