Whilst I can understand the need to restrict new Co-Pilots in their crosswind limitations for reasons of inexperience (or to get cheaper insurance
) I fail to see any reason to restrict the Aircraft Captain from using the full envelope of the aircraft as he/she see's fit unless there is a confidence issue?
Such a restriction surely places doubt on both the competency of the operator (training/standards regeime) and the Captain?
Landing in a 25kt crosswind gusting 35kts is not uncommen, as has been stated above, it might not be pretty and many, like myself, take a slightly 'firmer' landing over trying to 'grease it on' but even up to the 40kt crosswind landing limit (of my a/c type) it is not 'too' challenging.
I see it as a sad indictment of the decline of our industry that such restrictions are placed irrelevant of where the airline operates from. If there is no confidence from the management through the SOP's and adherance to the manufactures limitations then where can the operating crew gain their confidence from?
Quite sad really.