I believe its the insurance underwriters that dictate the 'minimum' for command. The training department have a standard to maintain and you either meet it or you don't. I would imagine that it would be quite a drag on training resources if the experience/quality of candidate were to be lowered. I'm am not implying a lower standard anywhere else but you really need to be in FR a few years to understand the MO. (with reference to direct entry F/O's)