Speaking about hours vs experience.. one of my colleagues is currently on a CPL residential course. He told me today that one of the other students told him that he has never flown as PIC in controlled airspace, and was asking him how difficult it was!
And thinking about it, can anybody think of a reason why it wouldn't be possible to do all the flying for your CPL without ever needing to? A bit like not having to prove you can drive on a motorway before you get your driving licence, maybe?
Sounds crazy, but...