Any competent pilot with 1000 hours Metro and 500 jet should be able to make command on ANY contemporary civil jet. Contrary to what some would believe, all modern jets are pisseasy to fly.
Absolutely, generally the more modern the aircraft the easier they are to fly. However, it's not the A to B in fine weather sectors that demand the crew to draw on years of experience....it's the days when things are not really going to plan. 500 hours on a Jet is NOT enough to make a competent captain. In my opinion, we had it right years before JetStar and Virgin....when joining airlines like Ansett, Qantas, TAA meant many years in the right seat (and back seat) before the opportunity for command came up. After 10 years or so as F/O, there is plenty of experience the fall back on once you become a junior captain.