Originally Posted by
AirBear
LCA stands for Line Check Airman. You give checkrides to Pilots and CoPilots in the actual jet. So yes, I imagine you'd need a fair amount of time as a Captain before being selected as a Check Airman. Unless you're married to the boss's daughter or something.
You may actually not need very much CA time, 1000 hours is often enough... it's going to be more important that you have a good 121 training record, and that current LCA will recommend you. Start networking with LCA early. Obviously CFI/IP experience helps but that's technically not required (even a line CA is assumed to have an instructional role per the regs).
If it's a small, boutique regional, then yeah it might be a good 'ol boys club.