Luke skyToddler "I know with retrospect that Massey and Ardmore were spilling the exact same crap with regard to their own schools to get students on board way back then as well."
Some would argue that one of these places at least is still doing that. I know a few people who have been misinformed into signing up for a certain degree course...
In every training organization, you have the quick learners and the guys that take a little longer. With 250 hours, I'm sure that there are guys and gals from around the country who probably could operate a PAX aircraft satisfactorily from the right hand seat, its not limited to CTC. I know of non-CTC guys who go straight in to ATRs and 737s.