Back in my day, a bag of lollies cost 5 cents, fuel was 63cents a litre and all fresh CPLs knew how to fly...
Question to the older blokes, do you think your superiors thought you were just as good as them? Doubt it.
Not saying there isn't a decline, however there might be a bit of poetic license going on here.
Pineapple, what sort of king air does 180kts?
j3