Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB

You'll never convince these guys on here of that...they are far too bitter that they had to sit right seat in a C172 for two years

I completely agree with all of what you said. Now my $.02...I think that the incredible need of Pilots state-side, coupled with the relative ease in obtaining flight instruction, has allowed many who probably should not have ever gotten into Aviation the opportunity to do so. Years ago, only the best and most-determined made it through. Now they could train a monkey to proficiency in a CRJ. And only exacerbating the problem is the epidemic of Automation, which continually brings the "weakest link" lower and lower down the chain, further masking the deficiency in skill and proficiency.