Every beast has itīs different characteristics and has to be managed accordingly! The correct way is a matter of opinion but, the A/C itself, nothing wrong with it!! Just my humble opinion!!
So, training is for shure one part of the 'defence', but will not be able to 'iron out all the issues'. It seems that even the best and most thorough training will just help up to a certain extend - unfortunately. Experiance on type is needed
This is the point that Frenk Boreman was trying to make in his post :
I have several thousands of MD-11 hours and all this talk of the aircraft needing an above average pilot to fly is pure nonsense. This aircraft has its unique characteristics, higher landing speeds, smaller tailplane etc....well, an average pilot adapts. If one transitions from DC-10 to the MD-11, you will understand the differnt handling characteristics and handling qualities. You adapt to that and learn to " feel " how the aircraft behaves on final approach, then prepare to adapt to its handling qualities. On hot, humid days on a high elevation airfield one has to really " feel " the aircraft and be prepared for high sink rates. Trying to fly the MD-11 like any of your previous aircrafts will be inviting disaster... it does not need an above average pilot, it needs an MD-11 pilot!
The same thing when I hear of people likening a B77 to a souped up B767...it is not, the high lift wing and triple bogey undercarriage presents different handling characteristics in strong gusty crosswinds on hot and humid days. Guys, know your aircraft. I knew mine and I survived. I am an average pilot and had my share of crunchers...but I survived.
Some people say statistics do not lie, but they can be skewed by whole lot of other factors. The MD-11 is challenging in some ways but I believe a trained and sufficiently experienced MD-11 pilot of average skills will be up to the challenge. Hot and high elevation airports do present environmental factors affecting not only the landing distance but also handling qualities for which the MD-11 may not be so forgiving.