Hmm, interesting subject: Who is best?
I have some experience from Europe, Middle East, Japan and USA.
Pilot licenses from 4 nations.
(But no British ATP)
Agree with previous posting on FAA orals and type rides. Not easy and they get your un-divided attention every time.
I cincerely belive that the quality of pilots
can be both good and bad on both sides of the pond. Have shared many a cockpit with many a Brit and did not spot any superior skill or knowledge that my US collegues did not have.
I am sure the knowledge part of the UK ATPL goes more into astro (Cosmic?) navigation and such, but I doubt it is relevant to flying modern aircraft in todays system.
I was born and raised in Europe before emmigrating to the US and have found if anything, that some European pilots take
themselves too seriously.
(I had a friend with Lufthansa once: He was about to upgrade on the Airbus. I cracked a joke about the Airbus being Poor Mans B-767. He never spoke to me again.....:-)
Lighten up guys, we all do the same job: Drive an airplane from A to B for a monthly
pay check. Big deal.
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Men, this is no drill...