[Hulka]

To be more clear, a 1500hr requirement will put the commuter airline in a situation where they will choose between a guy that flew and flew and flew, never getting an ATP (thereby demonstrating no interest in achieving greater skill-sets), and a 1500 pilot with an ATP (demonstrating greater skill-sets).

While the 1500hr requirement doesn't state “ATP,” that will be the result.

[CodeToad]

Not that many pilots get their ATP right at 1500 hrs. Many exceed 3000 hrs before they get the chance. I know loads of pilots without their ATP that are well past 3000 hrs. Considering it is not uncommon for a regional pilot to get 600-900 hrs in a year, it as also a bit silly to mandate 1500 hrs anyway as they will exceed 1500 hrs fairly quickly anyway.