FREE FLYER
I totally disagree with you.in the States you have an opportunity to upgrade based on a seniority system. Then you demonstrate a nice circle to land and upgrade. to be a real PIC takes more than that.
Few times when I WAS the fo on the ERJ I had to act as the Cpt. Why? because the guy on the left seat never took action during a RA. Because while loosing Hyd fluid I had to make the decision of declaring an emergency after the Cpt. asked me on what we should do. just to name few..
Now can you imagine CAl hires let's say, someone with 3000 TT 2000 sic RJ and this individual has, like you said, " NO IDEA" on what's going on. I think if you seat for 2000 hrs in any seat and have no idea... then you have bigger problems
Even as an FO if you know your job and take it seriously, you can be very effective.