Thats how all jobs work bud, sorry to burst your bubble. They can always hire with preference. What do you think the interview is for? To find out how well you fit in with the culture. Thats what.
If you are too old(maybe not worth the training costs, possible health issues), too young(not mature enough to handle tasks?), too much of a hard ass(not enjoyable to work with), too laid back(not enough of a hard ass), major TOTD everyday (nobody likes you) etc. They have the right to not hire you.
Why on earth would they hire simply based on flight hours/being qualified? Haven't you met a 10,000 hour + pilots who make horrible decisions and/or think they are hot **** and should be hired just because of their previous flying experience?

If everyone who is "qualified" has to be hired simply on past flight experience, then they wouldn't need interviews.
I got hired at my current job with 5x less flight experience than what the job ad said was "minimums". Simply because I rocked the interview, and fit in real well with the "culture" of the company.
The real world is not as black and white as simply being "qualified".