OK, your point is well taken. However, I think a low time pilot may fair better than you think simply because he/she has probably been practicing them alot more recently than those of us who may or may not practice them once a year during recurrent training.
I for one have not had a simulated T/R drive failure in years. The closest we train to it is a jammed pedal or simulated cable failure on the 76/61.
Granted, experience may enable a calm, collected pilot to react better to a given situation, however, as you say, it may not be your day/night! i.e. Enroute to the rig at night over water and bang!!! Just look at the result of the 212 in the Maldives, that lost the T/R after the Co-Pilot's door was jetisoned in preperation for ditching! Not a good thing!
Food for thought. Cheers, OffshoreIgor
