I have seen some pretty neat aircraft simulators, too- but don't want the pilot of the next DC-10 I get on to have been trained without experience with the REAL THING!
Yeah, and hopefully his name isn't Mohammed. I understand what you mean. It comes down to the objective. If the objective is to be able to successfully dissect a cat, then the best way to teach and test the learner's performance is with a real cat. If the objective were merely to be able to identify the organs inside a cat, there are various strategies that can be used to teach and test that.
In your example, the objective is that the pilot will be able to fly a DC-10, and the only acceptable test for that skill will include actual flying. His training will include but not be limited to simulation.
And mind you, I am not condoning this girl's behavior in this situation. She is being an idiot.