"'Think outside the box' What exactly does that mean?"

I know exactly what it means. And the implications. It means having the seasoning/experience/background to make the right decision in a situation you weren't specifically trained for or have never seen.

"Various outlandish scenarios - Don't airlines cover that in their training programs?"

No. Experience/background helps to fill in the blanks, though. There is a big difference between what the FAA needs to see in training and how the real world works.

Again. I have no problem with ATP. It's the 90 day program and moving straight into being a CFI, then moving straight into a jet after 200 hours, that I have a problem with. I would rather see a more experienced/seasoned pilot in the seat. With the ATP program, you never leave the "academy/training" enviornment to experience the real world. I don't think that's a good thing.