But you aren't ready to drive professionally, or a Formula One car or a semi-trailer.
No, but there are extra licences to obtain to do many professional driving jobs i.e. HGV, PSV, Advanced Motorists (nobody would employ you as a chauffer without that, at least).
In the military, the minimum acceptable level is way above the civil level,
But, then again, I know of some reputable operators who would rather have civilian pilots than military since it is their perception that the civilian pilot will be better able to get on in the team. I have met a couple of ex-mil pilots who still think they are a rank above me which, as a customer, rather gets up my nose (and that is not from a flying perspective but a general personality perspective).
rich dickheads instead of the not-so-well-off potentially excellent pilots.
.. or even richer dickheads than are around at the moment? Spot on.
solution would be to add in eg. five hours of night flying
Thought it already was? There is even 5 hours IF training in the JAA PPL(H) now. What good it does, I'm not sure other than perhaps give someone the false sense of security that they can fly in cloud?
These "proposals" seem to be trying to legislate for something that cannot be taught? At best, these are attitudes that can rub off on other people and that would be the only way of encouraging professionalism.
How would these proposals be funded?
As it is, there are many jobs that are closed to low hours CPLs because of insurance requirements; isn't this the same?
Steve 76 - it is not correct to say it is all too easy to get a Commercial Licence these - it IS getting harder. Many rules have been tightened up for example, one can no longer be an FI(R) with a PPL. One must have 100 hours post PPL qualification for a night-rating (I think it used to be 25). OK, the hours required to start FI(R) course have now reduced but, 300 was a high requirement.
The only way I can see of being able to weed out the "not-very-good" pilots is some form of continual assessment after qualification. I have to prove to my Institute that I have done a certain amount training each year; if I don't I lose the right to practice.