Just yesterday, the NTSB came up with the final ruling on the Colgan Air, Continental Connection crash of flight 3407. Basically, they said it was pilot error. They particularly blamed the captain's action. I think everyone saw this coming. The media said the captain failed five check rides, or proficiency checks. The pc's, or proficiency checks are flight tests done in the simulator every six months for captains, & every year for first officers. More or less, I think the accident shines a light on the training dept of that particular airline. The news media also reported that the captain had five failed check rides or flight tests. I think you have to look at the big picture with this. Most pilots had failed at least one check ride. Others had failed several, but it doesn't necessary mean that person is a bad pilot. For example, if one pilot was flying for 15 years & had three check ride failures then that is not as bad compared to someone who started flying five years ago with 3 check ride failures. A check ride is meant to check proficiency of procedures, & correct deficiencies. Pilots only get to practice emergencies every six months. So, its only natural that some pilots may need more guidance then others to make sure they are doing the procedures correctly. Examiners used the PC's as an opportunity to improve the pilots skill. Examiners expect pilots to come to their pc's prepared with knowledge & skill required of a professional pilot. I like to group pilots into two different categories. One is a professional pilot who is always eager to learn more, & be the best that they can be. The other is an airplane driver who just goes to work, & is satisfied with their knowledge. They make little attempt to improve their skill. Most pilots I know are in the professional group. Examiners sometimes fail you on a pc so that they can make sure you really got that procedure correct. This is when it becomes important for a pilot to be a professional & learn from the experience. The bottom line is that proficiency checks are meant to be a positive learning experience that why its called a proficiency check.