Old Bill explains it all  

in America, they define an experienced pilot as one who has passed a couple of tests and has a couple of thousand hours in the air. In Europe it's a couple hours in the air and about two thousand tests. But they are convinced they are the greatest and you won't change them. When they F up and crash they try to find why God willed it because it certainly couldn't-a been them after they've been rated through their wonderful process. If you want to change over just get after it, it shouldn't take you more than a couple years and maybe 20 grand (American). When you're done you'll wonder why. And no matter what you do over there you'll still be an American and have to listen to the ribbing. Just smile and cash the check and wait for one of them to F up. You won't have to wait long.