I get your point, but I'll stick to my position. In an word, yes. He is less qualified. He has lesser qualifications.

This is why we have check rides.


Is a student pilot who has 70 hours less qualified than a private pilot who has 60 hours? Yes. Is the holder of an associates degree with 130 credit hours less qualified than the holder of a bachelor's degree with 120? Yes.

Experience + certification = qualifications. If you haven't yet passed an ATP ride, why should I give you the benefit of the doubt based on your experience, and assume you have ATP-level skills? A certification ride isn't about qualification, it's about quantification.


I just applied for a job outside of the part-121 airlines. Guess what they asked for? An ATP. A 5000-hour FO with a Commercial certificate will likely have the required skills, but they required an ATP. Why? It's an additional level of qualification, and they're willing to limit their applicants to that pool. It's like a job requiring a Doctorate. Will a person with a Master's degree do fine? Probably. Are they qualified? No.