I'm glad to hear that they are taking recommendations. Their attitude was more than a little negative about that before. Since the minimum requirements change all the time, I would say that if a person has some solid flying experience and not just some time on a C172, to do the online application. I got those minimums off the crew web and that was yesterday so probably still there. The only difference with the picc requirements was the need for 500 pic on a 25t a/c or more and 4000 hrs tt.
I know they need guys so if interested, give it a try. There are a few guys here that can give you some help prep for the interview when that time arrives. It's not a walk in the park and requires some prep. Good Luck!