With some of the people that think that the only way to really "know" how to fly is to be a CFI for 2-3 years riding in the right seat while someone else is "trying to kill you" maybe rather than the 1500 rule, it should be 1500 dual given. Isn't the reason the FAA has check flights are to ensure you are able to fly? Is 500 hours low to be a 121 pilot? I don't know the answer to that. I think the answer has a lot to do with how you learned to fly, the quality of instruction, the QUALITY of the time you have and many other things. There isn't a cookie cutter number. A guy with 1500 hours of point A-B, pattern work and even some CFI work isn't automatically a better pilot than someone who got their COMM at 200 hours, done a lot of real world flying in weather and has had equipment issues that required them to make a choice and get the airplane down safe. I know that some CFIs work hard for the hours and know a lot. I have also seen CFIs that just ride around in the right seat, never see a real emergency or any weather. While not a CFI myself I would imagine that after 20 hours or so probably 75% of students aren't "trying to kill" the CFI anymore if at all. Not dogging CFIs in any way, I am just saying that 1500 hours in the right seat doesn't make you ready to fly the space shuttle. It is about the quality of your flight time, not the quantity.