I consider myself low time/experience (4.3k TT, 500 TPIC, 3 types two RJ's and a 73, training department experience) compared to what I used to consider an actual qualified candidate (+5k TT, 2k TPIC, LCA or other position to make stand out). However I quickly realized even with my experience level I could go to any of the heavy hitters with how desperate things have gotten. United cold called me after not updating my app in over a year and a half. AA sent me an interview with an app that was 6 months out of date, and luckily I got the DL interview and had a very pleasant experience. The interview is not difficult it's more dependent on who you get sitting across the table. My class was a good mix of military folks (F/A-18s, A-10, C-17, KC-135, C-37A), a couple purple guys, one SWA, two JB's, and the rest RJ pilots a few without any TPIC experience. Lowest time being just barely over 2.5k TT. It was a great class with everyone but one getting hired. As someone that was around the training department at AS a lot and constantly helping new hires doing open time seat support I got a first look of our future talent pool. 1,500-2,000 hour pilots some with no jet time or only 500 hours in a Embraer that you could see them start to really struggle. The ones that got through always had a positive attitude and went above and beyond to get the job done. IMO there does need to be a limit of who can upgrade and into what airframe. If I'm being honest a 24-27 year old who's brand spanking new at DL being the skipper of a 76 is a pretty wild and slightly terrifying thought. It's not flying the airplane that's the difficult part. It's the tribal knowledge of airports, airspace, operations, etc. that make the captain so vital.