Unfortunately the only way to get experience is to go and do it. In these days of sausage factory fatpls and type ratings, this just does not happen.
There are new "captains" at some LCC's that have no concept of decideing how much fuel they want to take, because they have always been told how much they will take!
I must admit, i had not considered the personality factor. In the good old days, everyone had been through the same selection process, which usually involved some personality testing. In short, everyone had "the right stuff". These days it's all about the ability to pay. More research to do i think!