747jetdriver,
Completely agree with you and feel your pain on the topic.
Many applicants are not some yahoo, weekend warrior pilots who want to get a JAA ATPL, but experienced airline pilots who have been flying with an airline for even at least 1 or 2 years or more. They should NOT have to start all over to CONVERT a license to a European one. I personally believe it is all about the money, as it costs what? 12-13,000$ to convert now'a'days?... If not make it easier, at least make it cheaper!
Weeding out process? HA! The airlines intensive ground and simulator sessions do the weeding out, as well as all the checkrides and tests passed prior. Besides, just because someone can memorise and cram into their cranium all the useless information the JAA wants you to memorise then dump it all the next day, does not make you a competent airline pilot, or pilot period.
Read
Rediculous!!!!!!!
Very impractical and all about the $$$$$