If the yanks have 3000 or more on 737 and 1500 p1 on same, they may be eligible for a licence swap not a validation under jar. I heard of a pilot from africa with a licence printed on bog paper (and a 200 rating with a miraculous amount of hrs for the time on type and routes available) recently interviewed and the licence swap was the way forward. the caa is the last line of defence, in assessing applications for this swap but as they use the irish ,who knows. At least the yanks have come thru a system where an apprenticeship of some years will have been served to reach the left seat of a jet. Not a clandestine meeting in the the bush or behind a hotel to faciltate evrything from a ppl to a 777 rating. Not a generalisation , fact.