During Covid they were hiring so many so fast they reduced the no 1000 hr PIC. Also there was a period 2016-2019? where you did not need a recommendation to get an interview.

They also relaxed the no degree but I think they announced that about same time hiring shutdown.

Only hiring knows what traits they were keying on. They seemed to have found the sweet spot for causing dissent in the crew force and a way to save a lot of $$$