I really find it difficult to believe that a 350 hr pilot is in a position to critisize a capt
I concur. It wouldnt happen in the States in any case. Guys with 350 hours should be trying to kill themselves in a beaver in Nova Scotia.
We dont subscribe to this modular 13 month course and hey presto you're an airline pilot.
We believe that a pilot learns his trade through life's experiences, from single piston to twin piston, to right seat on a turboprop, then left seat on the same and then finally when he's assimilated all that aviation can throw at you, he might just be ready to apply to the majors. We also subscribe to the view that such a rough-and-tumble 5 year route teaches humility and makes you a survivor. The only guys who get a pass to the majors without any civilian experience are the military and the reasons are self-evident.
When I hear of 2500 hour Captains flying alongside 300 hour co-pilots in a 737 in Europe, it makes my blood run cold. The plane is so reliable,the FMS and automation does all the work, and so yes theoretically you should be just fine. But you're hedging your bets.
In short, experience counts. And the wider the experience the better. For example,take a Brit flying 757's to Spain and the Canaries for one year. He joined out of flight school and probably has 1200 total with 800 on type. Is he experienced? NO. His exposure to different operating environments is very limited. Flightschool (very little practical use to be frank) and one year of line flying the same routes in a highly sophisticated machine that will practically fly itself if he so chooses. Little has been learnt in such a short time span (2 years) and such a limited operating environment. Yet there he is pushing the buttons and following the FD commands all the way down the slope and dutifully filing the paperwork. And no disrespect to him. But scratch at the veneer and what have you got?