You're probably right, but when I first applied to them in the late 80's, that was their MINIMUM hourly requirement and was what was needed to get an application to apply. Many here think that if that's the minimum requirement, then that's how many hours are goint to get you hired. I highly doubt it. I know a LOT of ex-military pilots flying at the commuter/regional level. When they left the military, many only had 1000 hours..........of B-1/B-52/Harrier/etc.... time. Hours mean nothing.........experience and skill do. That is my point. People need to get off this "he was hired with 550 hours stuff so he HAS TO BE unqualified. Your best insurance up front is a good, smart, and skilled pilot. In spite of that, I have seen pilots with 1000's of hours who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag.