Not sure what you mean by saying, "you would pick him".

Pick "him" for what type of operation?

I logged 450 hours in a Piper Seminole. I'm a former MEII but I'm not current in the a/c as I haven't flown one in over a decade. I fly medium jets at a Major.

There are many current MEII's out their flying seminoles every day. If I show up at a flight school in the morning and get recertified, Am I better suited to teaching right away with students, or should the job go to a proficient MEII?

I'd say give the job to the other guy.

Is he currently a "better" pilot than me with my 8000 hours?
For that particular job at that level...............YES!

Is he more experienced and knowledgable overall?

Highly unlikely. If he shows up at my airline tomorrow, he might have a mountain to climb.


I'd have a job on my hands trying to get through IOE on a long haul trip in the A380 though.

As for decision making, in my limited 8000 hours, I've declared a few emergencies including engine failures, flap failures, gear failures, and hydraulic leaks/failures. Not one of those emergencies required much decision making skills. Make a decision, follow the QRH, follow SOP's, land safely, and do some paperwork. Done!
It's not rocket science although some would like to believe so.

I used to fly with FO's who had only a few hundred hours. I flew with low time airforce guys too. Fortunately, when problems occured, they were right on the ball because they had ability, if not experience.

AL