The pilot doesn't have to touch anything,
there is no alignment issue when using the big bearing like the dakotas use. Hot dog down a hallway analogy here. Doesn't touch the walls at all.
So putting a steel shaft (input shaft end) into a bearing (with needle bearings); alignment isn't an issue. Since when?
The bushing/pilot isn't in play here at all unless the OP is asking about the smaller bearing style that aligns the pilot tip. I think they are talking about the type of pilot bearing that fit in the converter register and captures the smooth section just in front of the splines, not the pilot tip like the bushing does.
https://www.carid.com/1994-dodge-ram-transmission-parts/national-clutch-pilot-bearing-98317886.html 
