Asked the decision makers directly - "a guy asked me if he should take a regional upgrade or pursue a w/b FO job flying long haul international. I told him upgrade." I got the "we don't give career advice." Okay, I get it. So I start walking away... "but you're giving good advice."

They beat a drum "1000 hrs TPIC is 'highly competitive" and 500 hrs TPIC is "competitive." No mention of bonus points for more SIC or w/b flying.

This is like a RTFQ test - they look for 1000 hrs TPIC first, 500 hrs TPIC next. Yes, TT probably has a minimum (2500 ??) with 1000 hrs Part 121 regional FO. But that's for the chosen few.

To quote another decision maker about TPIC time - "not that Caravan or PC-12 SEL time. They think with 1000 hrs TPIC in a Caravan that they're competitive. They're not but they wonder why they're not getting contacted. Get some MEL TPIC time."