The Senate Panel are not very knowledgeable. It is initial professional structured training, not hours that mater in safety.
For years British Airways and other European carriers have taken, as well as experienced Military pilots,250-300 hour pilots straight from the Flying Collages into the RHS of A320/B737 and Turbo Prop types. When it was in service the BA 757 too.
They leave the flying collage with an IR and MEP Rating. All the ATP studies and exams are passed, and a "frozen ATP", i.e. exams remain valid for 3 years and on achieving the ATP flying hours the ATP is issued. After the initial Type Rating course, obviously stringent supervisory route flying follows.
Typically 50 route sectors with Training Capts, and when released to the Line, the first six months with experienced Capts only.
No safety problems, and some of the early trainees have now retired after a long and safe career, as Wide body, and even Concorde Capts.
Last edited by cessnapete; 2nd Jul 2017 at 07:56.