I don't really know about the FI thing. Give me 3 to 4 months of very good weather from now and I'll hit the 3000 mark. Unless I get anything soon, I'm starting to think that CPL / IR upgrade from BCPL, that I couldn't afford 4 years ago would have been a better option than the FI rating.
Obviously 9/11 has played a big part of which I, like everyone else has suffered but at 2750 hrs, with an ATPL I've not had a sniff and have lost that 'spring'
Dont get me wrong, but I long for the day of being a very part time FI and that RH seat with a sensible wage.
As for airline requirements, beats me!