First off, I've vehemently opposed to Gateway 7. Second, it's not the military. We are not conducting assault approaches, dropping bombs, or aerial refueling. For the most part it's a monitoring job. However there are times - like say last week in FLL when I needed to disconnect the AP and hand fly a short, visual approach to 10L in the bus because a line of convective wx sitting on the marker precluded any type of instrument approach. Strong crosswind, shifting to a tailwind at touchdown. Conditions going bad in a hurry and the path to the alternate - which we changed twice - was getting sketchy. That's what Gateway 7 does not prep you for. As far as "mechanical" skills under normal airline circumstances- again, not dropping bombs - they're probably there.

Can they program the FMS? Probably would leave me in circles. Decision making is what will come up short. I was not a military pilot but I cut my teeth flying single pilot freight at night in the MU2 out of downtown Detroit then the regionals. Of course after experiences as the one described, I usually look over at the Captain and exclaim, "Whew! I'm thankful gateway 7 prepared me for that." It gets a good laugh.