Originally Posted by Tourist
Because if you can't even manage to get in as an officer or are unwilling to accept the responsibilities involved, you have no business captaining an aircraft.
Hmmm - suggest you take a look at Bomber and Fighter Command histories from WW2; try telling a sgt or FS Lancaster pilot over Berlin that he was 'unwilling to accept responsibility', or the sgt or FS acting as a flt cdr in the Battle of Britain, because he had more experience than the officers...