remember when we had check rides in the sim every six months and someone thought, why not call it AQP and do it every year?
Are you saying you only do sim checks once a year?
Yep, under most AQP programs, you go to the sim only once a year. This stuff has been around for well over a decade at many carriers.
AQP was initially more relaxed with train to proficiency in my observation but over the years as more check boxes were added it has morphed into a continuous checkride with little or no training accomplished. Many AQP programs only require a line check every two years.
I remember years ago a QF pilot telling me that their command training was so good that only about half the pilots pass it on the first try. That would not be considered good training in the U.S.
Almost everyone passes command training in the U.S., although some might need extra sims or OE legs.