You know me uncouth.........
But it's fine darling, appology accepted....... :P
Agreed why does a CPL candidate need a cross channel checkout, just goes back to my point about it being criminal!
If a pilot is nervous about making the crossing then it is first class airmanship to seek assistance in the planning and execution of the flight. To have it forced on you is criminal and to have it forced on you as a "training" flight is just immoral.
If the school are that concerned that the pilot will damage the aircraft or themself crossing the channel that an Instructor has to be there then I would suggest the pilot is not ready for solo.
As for the excuses about the Instructor being P1 so he can legally take over in a problem - what a load of complete and utter tosh. P1 is handed over in flight all the time. If the instructor is that concerned that he will have to do that then comment above applies.