I'd sure like to know what that reasoning is (yes, I'm officially inquiring through a FSDO and several ASIs I know and I am planning to apply for an exemption). I have 14000+ 121 PIC (B-727 and heavier) but little 121 SIC (right place, right time) over a spotless career of more than 25 years. Unfortunately, I happened to be permanently furloughed from my defunct 121 employer on July 31, 2013 and was looking for a new position on the trigger date.

I would like to know how it serves the interests of the public, air carriers and the administrator to completely disregard this experience (while otherwise giving credits for military or academic programs) and require me to acquire 121 SIC time to qualify for a position I have successfully trained and qualified for over several decades (rhetorical question). Or oddly, completely ignore this experience while granting credit for 135 or 91 time.

Silly.