I'm a little bemused by the regular references to US cockpits and the strength of their 1500hr rule. That rule isn't exactly something that has been kicking around for too long and, if the jungle drums are to be believed, was implemented as a (knee jerk) reaction to the Colgan crash.
Sooooo, I'm not sure the example is mature enough to be quoted as why things are better over the western side of the Atlantic.