SM, it's really not a matter of hours or ratings, it's simply one of having some concept of how aircraft are operated. Even a moderately experienced private pilot understands the principle of landing at an uncontrolled airport and can do the "risk assessment," as you call it.
What you're doing is a bit like my criticizing a ship's captain for "docking dangerously," or whatever, when I haven't the faintest idea how docking is done.
And to criticize the "poor safety culture" of U. S. airlines beggars belief. (Particularly from somebody from the country whose premier airline captain, at the time, singlehandedly caused the worst airline disaster in history.)
Last edited by stepwilk; 26th Mar 2011 at 19:37.