I disagree.
On a recent SVC one student had three times as much "live" time as another guy yet when it came to the svc the guy with the least amount of time was equally as good as the guy with more time.
It all comes down to the quality of instruction and not just being sat there and being left to get on with it as I have witnessed.
Plus, I have offered pre-svc guys live time and they refused so what happens then?
Also, I must ask you, when you were working the wings and an early go came up did you take it or hang around for some live time?