*de-lurk*
Bubbers - I understand what you're saying, but if we're honest you're talking a different generation here, with a lot more ex-military flyers. I realise this is something of a generalisation, but from what I've read and been told, the pros of which include a tendency for better stick-and-rudder skills and knowledge of aeronautical fundamentals, the cons including occasional issues with CRM. In the US, you're also talking about a lot of pilots who came up through the crop-dusting route and the like, which comes with a lot more hands-on experience.
The fact is that over time the demographic has changed, and the explosion in numbers of jet transports and jumps in technology since the '60s means that less time is spent learning the basics and more on operating and managing the systems - which has led to a significant increase in things like "panic pulls" from line-qualified pilots. When talking of pulling into a stall, don't forget Birgenair 301 and Palm 90, neither of which involved AF or Airbus. This is an industry-wide trend and always has been.
That said, your career makes for great reading, and it's clear that you've always striven to do the right thing - for that alone my cap would be doffed.
I was wondering - I realise it's a UK document, but did you ever read Davies' "Handling The Big Jets"? I'd be interested to know how it compares with the material more prevalent in the US from the same period.
Lyman : You were asking about the sim experience a week or so back. I can't really add anything to what I originally wrote, so for convenience I'll provide the links here:
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/46062...ml#post6793521
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/46839...ml#post6794612
http://www.pprune.org/tech-log/46839...ml#post6794908
*re-lurk*