I had the same thought, particularly re-learning the holding entry "gouge" for the ATP written. Going to do my ATP practical seemed intimidating, but what I learned is most GPS/FMS systems will fly (or at least display) the holding entry for you, and the display view makes the entry really obvious. Flying "smooth", I just liken to leading a division around, and the control characteristics of most large airplanes lend themselves easily to being flown smoothly (most of the time). Then again, if they put me in an airplane with nothing an "old school" HSI, or worse, dual OBS, I might be F'd. Looks like I'm not ready to select DC-3s just yet. Tailwheel rating in the works.
The unfamiliar field piece is legit- which is why I try and take jets on the road whenever I can. A good system for digesting and understanding STARS & approaches is key, and I get the impression that airline guys generally know well in advance what arrival they're expecting. Also, a lot of military pilots fly at familiar fields/ships >90% of the time, so I think the playing field is fairly level (probable advantage: big wing guys.)
Hell on my Garmin 430/530 in the Cessna 206/182/172 I fly every day, the system will show you the holding entry, if the AP is in NAV mode, the thing will even *fly* the holding entry for you! (example here is a parallel entry for you holding pattern nerds)