For the airlines generally speaking that is true. There are some wonder stories about getting to a major below the published mins but usually they involve internships, heavy internal recs, or other factors.
It is all about hours but the place where you can really shine and show your merit is corporate. Most have hourly requirements for insurance purposes but I have heard of several people who truly deserved it get awesome corporate jobs when you thought it was impossible. In this industry its all about who you know.