It's just what their HR has set to their "search criteria" on airline apps. Doesn't necessarily mean they've lowered their mins. Although, they're both connected in my mind.

Hiring climate? There is no hiring climate. There was absolutely nothing going on for 3 years. Most of the people who were hoping for the quick trip to the regionals in 06-08 have since gained many more hours and don't want to work for them (read: regionals). The others that were hoping for a quick trip have since faded away since there's no zero to hero happening right now.

I truly believe that this so called hiring climate is made up. There aren't that many high time pilots willing to work for a regional airline. There are plenty of people out there that meet the mins, they just don't want to do it....
Pinnacle is taking 300 hour wonders again. PDT has hired a few with less than 300.

Once again, my opinion. Which is worth a bum