Recently I've become an airline pilot, but I've flown helicopter in the navy for 10 years before I went "commercial".
What I'm really missing in airline flying is sim-time. In the navy I was in the sim each week (we were lucky to have our own "full-motion-180 degrees visual" sim on our airstation), compared to the twice a year in the sim right now. This results in lack of emergency training for the more inexperienced pilots.
In the navy we used to say that "flying" does not only mean handling the aircraft; flying is much more: it's something between your ears, a state of mind and a certain attitude.
So I agree with Guvnor: it,s not only the stick-time on type that matters, but also your experience in flying in general, especially when you're operating (or have operated) on the limits!! Because only then you understand the true meaning (and fun) of flying.
Cheers!!
Remember: every take off is a choice, every landing a must...