Originally Posted by
pete2800
I get your point, but I'll stick to my position. In an word, yes. He is less qualified. He has lesser qualifications.
This is why we have check rides.
Is a student pilot who has 70 hours less qualified than a private pilot who has 60 hours? Yes. Is the holder of an associates degree with 130 credit hours less qualified than the holder of a bachelor's degree with 120? Yes.
Experience + certification = qualifications. If you haven't yet passed an ATP ride, why should I give you the benefit of the doubt based on your experience, and assume you have ATP-level skills? A certification ride isn't about qualification, it's about quantification.
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I actually can understand your point and do agree. I think part of the problem is that the difference between being
experienced and
qualifiedisn't so cut-and-dry. Just because you've got lots of experience, doesn't mean you're qualified. Likewise, just because you're qualified, doesn't automatically give you the required experience.