Originally Posted by NWA320pilot

Requiring an ATP to fly 121 pax is a great move, be from the right or left seat. You will applaud the FAA for mandating this once you make the move to PIC. You need to remember that you are a crew and as the FO you have 49% voting rights and responsibility. There needs to be a minimum level of experience and expertise established so that the majority of your learning does not come while carrying revenue passengers and a PIC having to keep an eye on you. I have seen a lot of regional airlines emergency practices change over the years to compensate for low time pilots. One airline in particular makes the PIC pretty much do everything in an emergency. When something is going wrong I need a strong experienced pilot helping to ensure checklists and procedures are done correct as well as one that can fly the aircraft and make decisions unabated.