It's not the first time Airbus electrics have thrown a tantrum. AAIB reports on
G -EUOB and
G-EZAC incidents are IMHO compulsory reading material for any aspiring or current bus driver.
Basics of all three incidents are simple: E in EFIS & ECAM stands for electronic and electronics needs proper electricity to work. If a bunch of screens go crazy your problem is a) electric b) likely to affect ECAM, don't expect it to work as advertized or at all.
So how do we solve problem of ECAM-junkies at the time of ECAM going on vacation? We can introduce memory item like : LOOK UP! Yes, as A320 pilot one is free to look at overhead panel even if ECAM doesn't direct him to do so. Chances are there will be some or other Pb glowing amber and pushing it might solve a problem. Wait a sec here! Don't just push it mindlessly, take a look, read what's written on it, recall what it does and what will be the consequences. Simple, really. Or not, if you learnt the systems by rote to pass the exam. Then it's really tough times ahead for you bro.
Regarding the Magic Bus and today's pilots: that Airbus is crash-proof and can cope with less skilled pilot than standard is misperception, promulgation of which is the fault of Airbus propaganda department, not the fellows who designed the Airbi. Woe to the airline whose training department takes this sales pitch to be true. Compared with a couple of decades ago, modern pilot has replaced: pilot, flight engineer, radio operator and navigator. Creating better and easier to operate systems was meant to decrease workload. It succeeded yet the intention was not to make life in cockpit easier: it was to reduce workforce as much as possible. It is all fine and well as long our electronic little helpers do their work. When they pack up, you have two people doing the job that was historically split between 4 to 6.