I had plenty of line flying before Siming
Plenty of previous line experience, in AOC, and private ops on many types. I payed for my own TRI on a Hawker 700, and progressed from there.
Line trainer on Challengers (601), and then similar on Gulfstream 550.
Alternate between a week or so freelancing, and a week or so in the SIM.
This is the perfect balance: today I was SIC, on an initial TR: did locked controls, zero flap landing, 35k X wind take off and landing in simulated Russian winter snow storm.
Then finished off with smoke in the cockpit, and evacuation.
Tomorrow I do a line trip. Hope not so exciting.
If I may be so bold, I have seen many good pilots and many bad pilots, and most of those who are sim instructors, with recent regular line flying are the best.
But I do know one, who has 1h30 mins of real flying, and many in the sim, who was actually more a ground instructor, got a job doing the line training for a new G550 owner. He learned how to "manage the aircraft" on the line. Not the best option.
Glf