the magic 500 multi command requirement
In my opinion the requirement of 500 multi command hours to be in command of a heavy turbo prop should be taken out of the CAOs immediately as well as the fact that copilot time only counts half towards the 1500 aeronautical experience.
CASA and Australian operators need to grow up and have a look around the world and see what other countries do...some countries in Asia and Europe dont even have a "multi column" in logbooks.
Anyone with the appropriate training and total time can be trained up to standard to fly a D8/Metro/Saab - it's up to the operators to invest in the required training. Moving from right to left is not that hard as long as the trainee has been taught to think as a captain before the upgrade.
At the end it is up to the individual's motivation and effort...but that applies during any upgrade course.
My 2c worth...