Forgive my lack of 135 knowledge. I was under the impression that 500 hours are required for 135 VFR and 1200 hours is required for 135 IFR. So this is wrong?

If it is, why does every 135 operation require 1200 TT to hire people?

there are 2 reasons mainly:
1 assurance dont let them fly for less
2 they have internal requirements in place
but believe me to fly airplane for hire you need only the CPL as minimum FAA requirement (or in other words more or less from 190 to 250 hrs).

if you ask my opinion I believe that all these mins rqmt come from the assurance policy. I bet that an operator would be more than happy if he has the chance to choose from a larger pool of pilots (qualified pilots).
but this is just my opinion

Try reading FAR 135.243

It's 1200 total for IFR PIC and 500 total for VFR PIC.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for and couldn't find.

Your bare bones comercial pilot isn't qualifed for 135IFR, they just don't have the expirence. 135 Your required to have 1200hrs IFR PIC or 500hrs VFR PIC. However if he's flying without any pax or freight onboard they're most likely on a 91 leg and he can legaly log it if he's rated in the A/C.

The flights he is talking about is probably empty when he is at the controls. That would allow this flight to be conducted part 91 which has no time requirements. Thats how you do it.

well i guys i will explain again, we are talking about minimum requirements (minimum means the least requirements and its a latin word).
read this
135.245 Second in command qualifications.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), no certificate holder may use any person, nor may any person serve, as second in command of an aircraft unless that person holds at least a commercial pilot certificate with appropriate category and class ratings and an instrument rating. For flight under IFR, that person must meet the recent instrument experience requirements of part 61 of this chapter.

(b) A second in command of a helicopter operated under VFR, other than over-the-top, must have at least a commercial pilot certificate with an appropriate aircraft category and class rating.
SIC means that you can be as per discretion of the PIC the PF (pilot flying) and the PIC could be the PM (pilot monitoring, as a matter of fact the PNF is going to disappear soon).
if it wasnt in this way how can a pilot build experience?
(dont tell me only CFI because thats not really the experience we are talking about)

Shanejj
to answer your question under FAR 135 and 121 the minimum to hire is just your beatiful CPL.
unfortunately i dont know any operator that requires only this, but you can try to ask the operator you are flying for if he can put you in a line training program (they have for sure).
having said that the time you are building is good enough (just try to add night time if you can), keep going on and soon you will have the famous required time (required by the insurance).

onther thing, in case of 121 the requirements are more stringent for what concerns the IFR recency. if my memory serves well