Maybe to open the debate to what's done elsewhere:
in Europe (JAA) regulations, we get CPL/ IRs, the ATP wrtitten test (pretty big actually - used to be basically 6 months of ground courses) and then a mandatory MCC (Multi crew coordination) training (approx 2 days ground course and 2-3 days in a sim to teach you basics of multi crew op).
Then you can apply for a job. At that point guys can be at minimum 250 hrs approximately.

So at that point you have only a "frozen" ATP (i.e. written test). When you have 1500 hrs, then you can go for the full ATP (usually done in the sim during one of those 6 months refresher).

The main difference with the US is that on these 1,500 hrs to get your ATP, 500 hrs MUST BE on multicrew aircraft. So you need a minimum of what some people in Europe call "quality time" before you're delivered a full ATPL.

Just though some of you might be interested.