Take this with a grain of salt, given I'm only regular CX SLF, HK ATC ,with a mediocre couple of thousand hours many moons ago.
I know who I want to hear is up the front when I do my regular CX flights.
Somebody with experience in making command decisions under adverse conditions.
You can't buy or train that.
Something you can't get in the Parafield training area, either as a cadet or 'VDO watching' as an instructor for 1500 hrs or the sim or banner towing or Parachute dropping.
I want to hear somebody who has flown multi engine Non-precision approaches, at night, into sh1tty strips, without ATC, or ground support. Who know what it's like to load and refuel the plane themselves. Who doesn't have somebody spoon feeding them every step of the way.
Sadly, I'm seeing/hearing way too much of that now.
On both sides of the radio.
Apologies for the rant.
BB