Neither system is perfect, we should respect one another’s ways.
I had an engine failure and forced landing in UK air space early in my career. I had very little time, and it wasn’t practical to complete the “Mayday” call. But it did the job. The UK controllers did a fine job in presenting my options, giving me the estimated surface wind at my location, then getting a helicopter to me to make sure I was OK.
To all those who say it’s all theory and no practical in the Eurozone, I use the example above to rest my case. And to those who say that in USA the operating procedures are ultra safe and close to perfect, consider the practice of clearing an aircraft to land before the one at the threshold has even begun its takeoff roll.
I have ATPLs from both sides of the Atlantic. The knowledge required for both is more or less the same. The difference is in the way they are examined. The FAA written is easy to pass, but a thorough oral exam could take hours, and will require you to know most of the subject matter areas you might find in the 14 JAA exams. The flight tests are similar too. The FAA and JAA ATPL flight test can be completed in the simulator and resembles the annual type rating check (LPC for Eurozoners).
I have full respect for the professionalism of all aircrew and ground staff on both sides of the Atlantic, and would expect us all to be able to exercise the good judgment shown by the people involved in the Hudson incident.