Originally Posted by
Propellerpilot
I personally think working oneself up the ranks from simple, more hands on aircraft makes the more comperent and experienced pilot.
Generally agree with one caveat. Depending on the nature and quality of early years training, a pilot can pick up some bad habits that may be hard to erase later on. One reason prior military pilots are favored by airlines is that you have a better idea of what you’re getting as opposed to a pilot who has passed through airlines A, B, & C. Ab initio training at least has the the distinction of providing a consistent and controlled environment, but hours in the classroom/sim still doesn’t replicate the real world. What I’m am saying is that pilot competency is a combination of good technical training and experience, but more of the first doesn’t make up for less of the second.