The having to have no repeats in the years prior to command was around in the early 2000s. It only disappeared when there were not enough pilots to upgrade.
Prior to the reducing of the required standard for pilots to join, you had to be mid to low thirties to have the requirements join. The having a command when below thirty was only a relatively recent thing. However this change of rule has caused a huge financial loss for those affected. Much the same way the hiring of DECs 14 yrs ago shafted 330 FOs.
The more things change here, the more they stay the same.

A cycle of Demand and supply.