Seems to me like there is always a disqualifier, not just this recent "trans-oceanic experience" and good people are going to be turned away for many other reasons before they even get to the starting blocks.
By the way, it's only US airlines that do this. Everywhere else it is very different, though not necessarily frightening. As someone previously commented, there are plenty of 500 or 1000 hour cadets whose first commercial job is either a trainee FO or junior FO on B747-400s and A340s flying international, trans-oceanic EVERY day. And guess what? They are not falling out of the skies!
I doubt very much that I would get a look in at UPS nor Fedex as I don't have buddies there nor the chance to cultivate any associations (live and work overseas for a foreign ACMI carrier) for that "special" sponsor who can attest to your flying skills.
But.....................I DO have over 8,500 hours total time - mostly international (ironic that!), 3 ICAO licences, 4 type ratings, trans all oceans experience plus lots of desert, currently fly the 747 classic with other wide-body experience, Chinese experience yadda, yadda. But I will NEVER get an interview (notice, I did not say job!) at either UPS or Fedex because of their hiring policies.
As for the international stuff, in most US companies, this is made out to be a big deal course. It is not, nor should it be. Your European, Asian, African (you name it) brethren have it ingrained from a much earlier stage of their careers as virtually ALL their primary flying and training is international, if not trans-oceanic. Just an observation from someone who has seen it from both sides.
While I can understand the logic to some extent, as some one who has had extensive experience in this field of operations, it's not that a big of a deal but it keeps the apps down and makes life a little easier for the HR folks. I believe that is the real reason behind it. Everyone has to start some where and it really is a sad day when the very airlines that ply their business globally shut out otherwise good candidates soley on the basis of not having a certain experience type especially one that can be taught and learned quickly. Yes, their train set and all that but it's rather short-sighted. Not trying to be negative, just realistic.
And I do feel sorry for those that aspire to go to these airlines as you now have another hurdle to jump over and it will take a lot longer. Maybe by the time you get that coveted experience, there will be another hurdle which wasn't there now. TAre you going to keep hitting your head against the wall each time? That's life in this wondeful game of airline "careers". Some get lucky and others don't through no fault of their own, I've seen plenty on both sides of the fence.
Whatever your decisions, good luck to all!