I just got cornered by a ramper in the cockpit in Albany, NY with the same question. I thought my times were low coming in with 650TT and 62ME....now there's guys with 300TT and 50ME.

I'll tell you what I told the fella in Albany, NY. If you're around that time, get your resume together and send it in. It can't hurt. To prepare, I recommend that you study those Jepps, know your Part 91 instrument regulations, get instrument proficient (in an airplane), and practice those gouges.

All I could think about when the fella asked me what the hiring minimums were at Mesaba was that, "Wow, I was in the exact same position as this fella 2 years ago." I'm still pinching myself. I wish I had heeded the advice of my buddy (also at Mesaba) back in May. If I had put my resume in when he told me, I'd be about 300 peeps higher on the seniority list.