You nailed it. Wonder what percentage of people could take a sim and apply the proper techniques without direction? You did it, I did it, but not everyone (especially the really young ones) has that kind of discipline. Besides, the more buddy-box time these folks get, the more real-world experience they get- which cannot be substituted with a sim. Things like viewpoint perspective, random wind conditions, and other people in the pattern. The sim is a good primer tool; the real world is where they will gain the truly useful experience.

That said, I am a simulator advocate!