1500 - 850 = 650 hours. That's six months -- tops -- as a CFI at a decent school these days. I don't think Republic will change that much in six months, but I will tell you that we are hiring like mad and provided the economy doesn't implode there will probably be at least 500 pilots ahead of you in the seniority list by the time you show up on property. Is that a big deal? If you believe where Republic is headed (to be one of the big three regionals), probably not.