OP obviously wasn't around back then. In 98-99' the only way you were getting hired at a regional with less than 1200 hours was to write a $8-12K check. I was one of the low time guys at SkyWest with 1200/350 multi when hired in early 2000 and was given **** about it by more than a few of the pilots that had been hired years before. I was even surprised to get hired with that low of time as I'd worked with plenty of others that had way more than that and couldn't get interviews.
Eagle, ACA, Comair, ASA.. all had minimums of at least 1200/200. Most wanted over 1500tt.
Mid 90s you needed 2500tt/500multi with 135 experience for most places. And that was to sit right seat of a Metro, Brasilia, J31/32, of SF340.
And your comment about training -- SkyWest consistently washed out 10% of the new hire class.