Force feedback versus real piloting?

Recently I was at a local airport talking to some pilots. One of
them (obviously a real pilot) said that doing a simulator with a
force feedback joystick and then flying a plane made for a smooth
transition.

I'm not a pilot so I didn't argue with that, but I was thinking
"huh?"

Isn't the general consensus here that force feedback is unrealistic?
Maybe I've read the wrong threads or those comments were from non-
pilots?

Partly curious, thanks.








--
I also posted this to a different group. I realize the force
feedback part is not necessarily for piloting, but the piloting part
is.