Hey Chuck,
Been reading the thread in the Canadian forum with interest. I learnt to fly in Vancouver - Ahh those trips over to tofino for lunch!
Anyway, my flying skills and ability to learn new information haven't changed since PPL days - I still have broadly the same flying skills now. The only thing that has changed is my experience level. So I would agree that total time is somewhat irrelevant in terms of pure flying skill, an individuals ability to learn quickly is far more important.
That goes for multi time also.
L.