411A,
Another difference between Europe and US, is the type ratings! Not saying which is better, but the syllabus is just much more comprehensive here in Europe. The 60 hours (including PNF of course) is standard, I hear it's even 84 hours for a B744 rating with KLM. As long as the company pays for it, I think it's very good since I felt very comfortable on my first flight in the 757.
Which by the way was circuit training as well. Not 60 but there were four of us and we did about 8 per person, including the exam. It's a requirement over here.
And SO much fun!
By the way, two of us were 13+ year B737 captains. Everybody does the circuits.