Unlike some of the people posting I have been through the KA command course and find myself a little bemused by some of the comments posted here.
First of all there was plenty of training (unassesed, no grading) which inlcuded Pre-command workshops, PCE LT, CT 2, Sim LOFTS midway through the course and if you should require it one additional block of line training is guarranteed at Ct 3 or Ct 4.
Before getting to the final sim check at CT 5 I had been taken through most major system scenarios, inlcuding some personal requests.
At some point you have to produce the goods and you are checked at Ct 5/6.
There are some carriers that have a command course which appears to be a box ticking exercise and providing you are in the Chief Pilots good books you get promoted, others have a marathon course which takes 6 months to complete.
In my opinion KA have found a good balance whilst coping with rapid expansion and maintaining a high standard of operation on the line. It has always been reassuring knowing that the guy or gal sitting in the left or right seat is not released to line unless they deserve to be there!
To me it is disturbing to see this anominous character assasination of a bunch of trainers who have been working like dogs over the last couple of years helping all of us get to grips with the Airbus and in many cases promoted to captains within 2-3 years of joining the company.
I am proud to have a command with Dragonair and found the guys conducting my training to be helpful and motivated.
Many of the comments on this thread are just totally B%ll S%#T, it is time for a bit of reality!
However if you want to discuss the HKG air pollution or apparent lack of direction the company seems to have lately, well that is another story...........