I feel that ill thought out comments aren't doing us 'Basic' PPLs any favours. To me statements like that make us look like under trained hazards to the non-flying public
Well, there is some room for dissent. I for one agree that "On a PPL course, the basics are very basic" (not that that's any different on a CPL course either), and I also quite agree with you on the "under trained hazards" bit (perhaps to ourselves more than the public at large, but anyway).
The most serious hazard though, is not being aware of one's limitations.
The right amount and quality of experience will make you less dangerous in due course, but after those 45 hours we're just about good enough that we can reuse the plane after most landings.
That's my impression anyway.