Originally Posted by FlyJSH

Because they were hired to fly a transport aircraft straight and level. I might add, those RJs were designed to be flown by 250 hour pilots: little system knowledge required (when compared to a 707, 727, or DC8). Everything is great until something unusual happens (due to CAT, CBs, wake turbulence, etc): think of AF 447 or Colgan 3407.

Experience teaches us how to recover from being in a bad place (either man made or act of God). It isn't fool proof, but it does give us more tools.