A-330 vs 320 training.
 

Two buddies are considering training as 330 FOs, and never flew the 320/319 etc. From a pilot's CBT/simulator viewpoint , are the 330's systems much more difficult to understand, regarding hydraulics, electrics, fuel, pneumatics etc, or does the Airbus technology minimize the actual training differences required?

Over nine or so years ago, my airline had some of the worst 320 training in the US (Training and Checking was not integrated, and the fleet was new, with a terrible translation from the French manuals-what a nightmare for many pilots). Now, it is considered the best program among the various fleets here, when initial training is compared, and a few fleets now have AQP for Initial and Recurrent training.

Last year, I've completed the CCQ (Cross Crew Qualification) between the A320 and A330. All the systems between the A320 and A330 are almost the same. The A330 has some things more (due to for ex. ETOPS) but in general there are not many differences.
We did only 4 simulator sessions for a complete type-rating just because of the common systems between the Airbus FBW aircraft. The procedures in case of normal and abnormal situations are just the same between the A320 and A330.
Even flying is the same. A month after starting to fly the A330, I had still the impression to fly the A320.
This is the way it should be !!! It can save a company a lot of money.