Mark, CoolP is right again.

The requirements - today - for a pilot because of competition are a lot higher. Most airlines flying big jets hire from commuter pilots that already have most of the ratings, so it is more of a transition instead of ground up course.  Even while I was instructing back in the 70's there was a different emphasis on pilot training. No more nuts & bolts training. (we were trained by professional Flight Engineers - they made sure we knwe every part of the plane) The new planes don't have a F/E and the systems are more automated. Today on the 777 the engine start is fully automated. If it does not start the first time, the computer tries again. If that is no good, then you call Mr. Fix-it to do his thing. Everything is more and more automated - nothing can go wrong,wrong,wrong,wrong............ :o

Lou