And who didn’t see this coming? As the experience levels drop through the floor, exactly who are these crew members going to learn from? Well past time for these companies to hire back some of the “old heads” to act as observers out on the line. Guys and gals that aged out the top or stopped early but are still interested in passing on their knowledge and experience but at a lower rate of pressure than actually being in command. Even back when I was still “on the line” I had some pretty young pilots sometimes while Jumpseating. Not often, but I did have teaching / mentoring occasions occur where I was asked a question or two based on my experience. I also had at least on time where I was able to make an “observation” to a fairly new, but not young, Captain. I made such quietly, after the flight of course and he was very happy to have learned something that night.
The hanger flying that occurred when I was a newby doesn’t seem to exist as much anymore. It should and maybe this requirement will grow into something useful as the coming flood of new folks starts settling in to aviation. That is, of course, until the bean counters cut and slash at such a wasteful program that is nothing but a money pit. After all, safety costs money and that affects the bottom line so negatively.