Originally Posted by
Raffles S.A.
... I still don't understand the fixation of the requirement of 500 hours glass cockpit to get a job on a glass cockpit plane. It's a most ridiculous requirement. It should be the other way round, 500 hours of steam to get a job on a steam driven airplane.
Unfortunately I've known many (esp. older) pilots who really struggled with the transition from 'steam' to glass cockpit. It's not just about the steam vs. glass but about learning & understanding the new complex computerized systems and automation. Many pilots were effectively forced into 'early' retirement when their fleets upgraded and they failed to make the transition.
So I can see why many outfits want pilots who have previous experience with (and are comfortable with) glass cockpits.