Originally Posted by Floy

A pilot who has logged 1500 hours of light SE and ME and completed the standard ATP and comes to train to fly a jet is starting something totally new to them. Some do well and many struggle. The 1500 hours they needed to get the ATP in most cases did nothing to qualify them for the training and job they are about to undertake. If those same pilots were to fly in a 135 crew environment from 250 hours as they are allowed to do with just a commercial, they would arrive to 121 training with the experience doing the very thing that they will be trained on. IMHO that actually enhances safety. A just trained 1500 hour ATP let loose on the world of 121 with nothing more than GA time will see a lot of firsts with those 121 passengers on board.

If the ATP rule were to be changed and its a big IF, I'd say it matters more the type of hours. I wouldn't be worried about reducing the requirements for a restricted ATP to even 750 hours if those hours were achieved in a way that gives the pilot real world experience. 500 hours of jet SIC beats 1500 hours of GA flying any day IMO. I think that would enhance, not degrade safety. Again just one guy's opinion who's been working to train these pilots for a long time.