''What is not really clear is wether the current RAF crews will be able to hack glass cockpits and modern systems were clockwork experience will count for nought''.
Glass instrumentation is easy - easier than clockwork systems. I converted from the VC10 to the B747-400 and it was a piece of p!ss. One of the easiest courses I've ever done. When I subsequently went back to the 747 Classic, I found that my conventional scanning skills had gone and I found hard to readjust.
Airbusses are easy to operate. My company takes 200 hour cadets straight onto the A330. They were designed with the philosophy of taking someone straight off an integrated course and putting them in the seat to operate safely. My main concern is the tanking job which does take time to learn to operate effectively.