This is the EXACT reason things need to change!

We can all make arguments about whether one specific pilot is more desirable or experienced than another. The FAA does not have this luxury. There must be uniform, objective criteria, not a subjective evaluation of each pilot as "real people and real applicants", examining "the total package".

If the FAA were to require all applicants to have ATP minimums to operate a 121 aircraft, an implicit requirement is imposed that all but the most well-funded of new 121 FO's will have experience making command decisions with either a student in the seat or flying something other than a 172 around the patch. In this day and age, it is simply hard to acquire ATP mins without having some experience flying aircraft in a commercial capacity, so that the pilot isn't financing the hours out of their pocket.

The hope is with ATP minimums required for FO's, an FO who sees their CA taxiing while texting or refusing to use checklists will use the experience and judgement gained during the accumulation of the minimums to step on the brakes and stop the aircraft, insisting that the practice must be stopped immediately, rather than post about it anonymously on the internet. Not only are these CA's a disgrace to the profession, but their FO's are too, just along for the ride, a $25/hr rubber stamp.