Does a 'modern', qualified pilot actually really know that they can fly competently or do they simply trust the 'system' to make that judgement about them?
A very good question!
One would hope that any decent training system would engender the idea of self analysis and criticism.
I recall a conversation with one of my trainers in a previous company as to how shocked he was that an experienced pilot on type who had joined from another company could barely control the aircraft on one engine (twin jet) during required maneuvers.
Personally I wouldn't want to just "scrape" through any regulatory check (especially as Captain or even Training Captain) but rather excel in the basic maneuvers to a standard well above the minimum.
One wonders whether these pilots are trained to think accordingly?