CD, I don't believe that years or even dives mean that much, after a certain level. That is because one cannot tell the skill or quality from a number count. It also does not indicate how capable they are for some specific set of diving conditions. The north east and far west diving comes to mind, but there are tons of other areas that require a specific set of skills.
However, if you are divng say Puget sound or the jersey wrecks, for example... experience in those respective environments is the only experience one should count..if you happen to be diving there.
2,000 dives in the Bonaire would not be of any more value (in general) than 100 divers there.
Still for all us old guys, it is all we have left...mister newbie..
Puff you're stealing my thunder for the next thread!
And you're not that old... yet! ; )