The reality is minimum requirements will be dictated by supply (as has been stated time and again). Whether a 300 hour pilot is as good or better than a 3000 hour pilot is irrelevant. Attitude and a willingness to learn from others is more important, particularly from the 3000 hour pilot ( I say that only cause the 3000 hour pilot has seen and done far more than the 300 hour pilot and may be of the belief that they know better)
There were plenty of jobs I would have liked to be a part of but with no ATPL, I wasn't considered. Now those jobs will look at you with a CPL (last I looked, it has been a while).
If Airlines really want to pick the best of the best advertise the minimums that are in accordance with the regulations. Pilots put their name in, when their name get's to the top they get a chance, If they're good enough they've got the job, if not, name goes to the bottom of the list and try again when their name is at the top again.