Somehow this sounds fishy
"check airman on the 727 for Pan Am, but mostly did simulator work"
First, if one desires to come up with a story always take an airline which is nonexistent anymore (panam still is, but not in their original formation). So how do you prove his story - impossible since most data about people employed there is loooong gone.
Second, being "mostly a sim instructor" compensates as good excuse for "not so up to date flying skills" as expected by somebody piloting a 727
I would guess being a check airman with a company like Pan Am would always have required a rating. When you enter a company like PA, most pilots have time far in excess of the 1500hrs. ATP requirement and therefore get their ATP with the checkride - but that's only my conclusion.
Anyway, if this guy is fake, move on to somebody else and leave him with his dreams
