I do not say sims are useless for everything, they just don't help building flying skills. A sim does provide a nice, easy and cheap way to get acquainted with how to operate flight accompanying electronic equipment and procedures, some of which even whole planes are flown off (my daily workplace as well), and train for operators skills. It is a very welcome affordable aid to learn i.e. IFR handling of electronics on reduced risk on the ground, which is often only little more then being a pax with buttons in front, but not more - myexperience.