This has probably been said a few times already as I didn't read all five pages of this thread, but I have seen two leave my regional to Continental with zero PIC turbine. One was female. Both knew someone "special". Good for them and I am guessing that they can get through the training. I have also seen three others go with times ranging from 900 to 2500 in the left seat.

If I am fortunate enough to get an interview there any time soon I will be happy that I picked up 1200 or so hours of PIC turbine. I think it's important to have something to fall back on in the event of a furlough... not to mention the invaluable experience. A lot of things happen in those first 1000 hours in the left seat and I feel like that's why most carriers require it. Unfortunately though, I still feel as though this industry, just like many others, is still way too caught up on who you know and not what you know.