Originally Posted by Uncle Bose

Too much much credit is given to all the little gems and anecdotes that older, wiser instructors pass on. I'm especially cynical given what I've seen come out of the Kool-Aid-stained mouths of Riddle kids, who have convinced themselves that some fat old fart behind a podium prattling on about their glory days in an F-4 constitutes "learning a lot," and is worth their tens of thousands of dollars.
I'm with LAFF--stories about bygone days and obscure occupations, while charming, are still irrelevant, and not a good use of your time and money. The bottom line is that being able to pass a checkride DOES demonstrate a high degree of proficiency and operational safety for the level being tested, and the limitless wisdom of experience comes later.