Why do the FAA persist with this arbitrary and meaningless 1500 hr figure?
Here in UK for many years we have, and still take, properly selected and professionally trained pilots with 250 approx hours, straight from major flying colleges and place them in the RHS of a jet or turbo prop airliner B737/A320, DHC -400 for example, and in past years B757 and Trident. (British Airways as an example)
After the Type Rating they carry out approx 50 sectors under supervision with a Training captain. When released to the Line they are then rostered for the first six months or so with experienced line Capts.
We don't operate the Second Officer/Cruise pilot scenario , all are trained as P2 on two crew aircraft. Virgin Atlantic have a training scheme now, direct onto the A330 with appropriate route training.
Many of these pilots have now retired as Captains with many major airlines with no safety issues.
Its not the hours that count but strict initial aptitude selection and proper training.