I wont argue the 200 hour part of things, I got hired (in sept 06) with just shy of 1000 at 9e and 1000/200 was about the average. We had a few ATP guys and 1 gulfstreamer- one ATP guy didnt even make it through the CPT's. I think at least some CFI experience is the least someone should have and 750 hours should be an insurance minimum, the problem is there are plenty of guys flying with 500 hours that do a great job and do have a head on their shoulders, and others with 5000 hours that need an FMS to find their ass (after they get help setting it up), on top of that how do you explain military guys- many of which have less than 1000 hours and are defending us halfway across the globe, would you not hire them if they got out of the military at this moment? Supply and demand is the game, and right now supply is short. You need to get time somewhere and what would stop someone that just got their ratings and can get hired flying 121 with 200 hours to say "no, I want to instruct for peanuts first?" I did the instruction thing and made crap for wages, and now make about the same at a regional. I do believe that the regional level should be held to 50 seats or less, many "regional jets" are going far too far to be "regional" in my opinion. But what can someone do when there is 70-100 seaters on the ramp looking for pilots to fly em and mainline doesnt want to fly em? I do feel that the left seat needs alot of experience because there is a lack of experience in the right no matter how you look at it. I dont want to step on toes here but the reality is that 200 pilots will find their way to the right seats because setting a 1000 hour bar keeps regionals too shorthanded. The issue at hand is the left seat- i still think 1000 hours in type and at least (minimum) 1000 hours previous experience (so 2000 total, but more like 2400 ish) or 2 years at a regional after getting hired with 1000.