I am low hours f/o with a cargo company flying the F27 and find it a little harsh for someone to pipe up and say that anyone with less than 300hrs would be incompetant in an emergency, we must remember that most commercial aircraft are:
1) fitted with a Captain!!
2) require a lengthy and rigorous type rating course
3) you have to be able to pass the type rating to get it on your license!!
Yes we low hours guys may be less experienced but most are just as capable just don't have the hours that others do. In my company there is a culture of the F/o taking the controls (at the captains say so) in an emergency in order for the more experienced person to deal with the emergency. Also we operate a system of monitored approaches where in poor weather conditions the F/o will fly the approach with the Capt. taking the aircraft at decision should terra firma be sighted! Surely this suggests that the F/O is capable of handling the aircraft in a difficult approach safely down to minima's and thus being a 'highly trained pro'
rant finished!
Box