Is the system so concentrated on pushing out button pushers that we will soon be trusting our lives on a commercial aircraft to someone who has only flown a restricted type and to a restricted type of runway?
The answer is yes. Actually, I don't have a problem with that. An argument can be made that a pilot who has flown only a few types is safer (in one of those types) than someone who has experience in many (and is therefore more apt to be confused). And, of course, airline pilots have to undergo regular simulator checks, so they know all of the right procedures. Finally, I don't think that most airline pilots really need to know anything about grass strips ... the odds of making an impromptu landing at such a strip in a 777 are remote.
I do think that ideally an
instructor should have broad experience; after all, many (probably most?) students do not intend to become airline pilots, and it would be desirable for an instructor to be able to assist them in learning about the many different opportunities that are available in recreational aviation.