Well, this was a few years ago, and a different HR group. However, the pilots doing the interviews were some of the same bunch. I was in the 1500-2000 hr range. Thanks for the "congrats", I'm still glad I got the job, even with the company's BK mess.

Even with a new HR recruitment team, be persistent and try to at least get the interview, regardless of your times or recency. Those are guidelines, but they can be, and certainly are, occasionally broken.

Once you get in the door, who you are will matter much more than what you are currently doing. Sure they have their preferences in HR, but that doesn't mean that other "profiles" don't get hired. If you are thin on the recency, then run up the old credit card and get current in a multi. It will also help get your head in the game for an interview.