Pilot Pete
You got it spot on,
I have been in conditions (or somehow similar)like the flights you describe , engine failure, boots that are not build to deal with icing conditions experienced ,the whole cowling coming of the right engine(PA 31) in cruise , at night ( no WX radar and CB's around)and i could add some other interesting experiences like most if not all pilots who came up through this route.You are "sitting" there asking yourself; should i really be here right now? We both know the answer to that question!
Dealing with customs, international flight plans, customer service etc etc...
If there is nobody to hold your hand you learn real fast!
Of course all FO's are not bad , but i strongly believe that going out on your own in the system in all kinds of conditions builds experience in a way that is not possible by putting a 250 FATPL in the RHS and have him learn by the monkey see monkey do principle.
Of course the office tigers don't understand any of this and so here we are,poeple with no aviation experience, 2 years of high school and a online HR course are calling the shots.
Welcome to modern aviation.
