Instead of putting them in a low-risk environment like a highly-automated aircraft that more often than not is operating 100% in controlled airspace with the option of an ILS or VOR/DME at worst at each port. No lets put them in a high workload, short sector, minimal automation environment to "earn their stripes". The ATR has no auto throttle, no VNAV and will operate to ports with only an NDB with no distance information.
Yes, Chadzat. EXACTLY. It's why Australian airline cadets are generally of a much higher standard than their counterparts in Europe who went straight to that highly automated jet. And as for delusional tendencies, I don't think a low-time cadet is better than a 3,000 hr GA bitchin' rockstar from the Top End, but if the training is of a high enough standard (which was certainly what I evidenced from training cadets myself a number of years ago), I would say they are certainly equal.