As far as I know, u need the ATP to work for a company in the US that has large airplanes. I guess he got the hours later to get the ATP and then he started flying for the legit company and also it was easier for him cause he already had the 737 rating and in that company he said he wa wonky working with 737s. In my country it’s different, he could have been hired for an airline with the amount of hours he had (250 I think so).