sitting in the cruise for 5 hours at a time doesn't make you experienced
Very true.
Doesn't matter how many hours you have in your logbook, only the next one's important. If you train people sufficiently, they can have enough experience, even with very few hours. Look at Air Force pilots, flying Fast Jets. Cruising the airways is a discipline, but it ain't difficult!
If only 'experience' protected the 'experienced'?! But it doesn't does it!