But should new pilots expect to do well immediately and if somehow they can't compete initially (as in they are a new contest pilot) run off screaming "you meanies" while in tears?

If that's the environment we must provide to get new pilots into the sport we might as well go back to the participation certificate and no
scoring conversation.

It has nothing to do with how well he does. My concern is the unrealistic expectation and what he would do (run off) if he did not meet his expectation of being competitive out of the box.

Sean