There is an "Elephant in the Room" that no one wants to address.

The 'Quick Upgrade'.

Go to the regional that you can upgrade to Captain the quickest.

But when are you really ready for it?

Sure, as I've heard for years, you can land the aircraft as good as I can. Yes, you can mash the buttons on the FMS faster than I can. Yes. you went through systems class last year, I went through 10 years ago when nobody knew the ramifications of the systems and how they have played out since.

But are you really ready to be a Captain?

Company tells you to ferry the aircraft without a critical engine instrument (torque/fuel flow/etc) Can you stand up to that? The winglet was damaged by a tug, but they speed taped it and "should be good to ferry to maintenance"?
You got the guts to refuse? Or just "do it and grieve it " later?

You have two FA's that don't get along over something stupid en route to the out station and refuses to fly back to the hub with them? What you gonna do now, college boy?

The gate agent refuses to deal with the jump seater that has his nose pressed to the window 20 minutes before the last departure.

The FA's have a squabble with gate agent over who gets to sit in the last First Class seat.

Company requests you to extend your duty day: works for you. FO has to buy a motel on his dime, FA's are stranded,what do you decide? Best for you? And screw the crew? Or best for the crew and suck it up?

Too many scenarios to post, and others may bring up others. But being a "Captain" involves more than your ability to fly the aircraft.

But at 1500 hours or 2500 hours or 3000 hours? Do hours matter?

"Yep, I can handle it , I'm ready to be Captain"

Really?