Will long remember an approach into Thessalonica. in an MD80. Severe CAVOK. At 30 miles offered the F/O a visual approach. Overfly join downwind to normal circuit and landing.
To her credit, she expressed under confidence. Proceeded to talk her through the join + circuit. After a successful approach she commented, "that was just like a circuit in a 172". I agreed.
Point being, new breed get so little exposure, they have difficulty with the basics. The problem is not with the candidates, the problem lies with the abysmal training standards of some current flight ops departments.
When you don't know what you don't know; you can't effectively teach. When the flight ops departments are peopled with people who don't know what they don't know, you are obviously heading for a fall. The only thing that mitigates the current deplorable lack of training skills, is the incredibly brilliant technology that keeps everyone safe.
That feels better.
Maui