Emirates and Cathay both at one time put 200hr boys and girls into widebody flightdecks. However; they were little more than cruise pilots for several years. Getting the Volmet and being on hand to engage the other autopilot should one drop out with the Skipper taking a pee is not really much fun nor much like flying.
I imagine its a good idea to get a few years of European or domestic jet hours under your belt before you try tackling a line of CB's over Delhi or an engine malfunction mid-Atlantic..
Face it guys. Only this week BACE has announced dozens and dozens of pilot jobs to be axed. Those ex-Brymon and British Regional pilots facing a P45 have tens of thousands of hours between them in both seats... Low time is going to be a real headache for a while yet. Things will get better - I am just not convinced they have finsihed getting worse yet
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