Actually this mentality is a lot of what is wrong with the airlines. The mentality is that "if i have a certain amount of flight time, or a certain training in a special course or simulator, I am a better pilot." The truth is that what makes a good pilot is simply decision making ability. Can you run through the problem and make a sound decision on what action to make based on your knowledge? I actually switched majors when at Riddle to avoid the "Riddle Mindset."

At schools like ERAU, it seems they want robots. Here is your training... do this if this happens... If X then Y mentality. As an instructor, the worst students I had for figuring out what to do when there wasnt a procedure in writing were Riddle guys. I am sure the alumni association hates me now for saying that.

In the end what makes for a safer airline is a program which identifies a pilots ability to think outside the box with a solid knowledge of aerodynamics, stick and rudder skills, and aircraft systems. I call it the Apollo 13 skill. This isnt something that is "hour" dependent. I have flown with 100 hour Pilots who already had the skill, and I have flown in the right seat with guys who spent years in a regional to be captain of a small plane who cant go pee without written instructions.