Full time Guard jobs are not easy to just hop into from active duty or the civilian world. They are usually reserved for proven performers already in the Guard. I was in the Guard for 3 years part time (M Day) before a good job opened up. And then,if I hadn't been one of the only people qualified for the job, it would have been more competitive.
Our unit, and I am sure most others, have been burned by self proclaimed superstars from active duty. When they come from another branch of the service, it can be hard to sniff out the BS without another former branch guy to lend a hand. For instance, I ran into some friction because a former Navy guy had ungreased the skids for further Navy acquisitions. He spouted his BS and sold the Guard on it hook, line and sinker. By the time I came along they looked at me with a skeptical eye. It turns out the guys was a loser who failed to make HAC in the Navy.
While doing the part time thing may be a financial inconvenience to active duty flyers trying to go Guard (Air or Army), you almost have to leave active duty, do the part time thing, then earn a full time position. The Guard loses a lot of good AD flyers because of this, but it provides a good filter for the posers. In my experience, if you prove yourself part time, the interview process for a full time job can be as simple as, "Do you want the job?"
That is why 'pledging' works. You can remain active duty, meet and spend time with your future coworkers, and give them a chance to see who you are. You MUST put in the extra effort. That is what the Guard is about. Even full time guys are really holding down two jobs.