100% true. They didn't look at LORs until the day of the interview.

Explain lower hours. If you mean lower than 1000 TPIC, no.

No i didnt mean lower than minimum required, just lower than the amount its taking for civilian pilots to get hired since it seems they're not getting the invite right at minimuma

Bachelor's and master degrees, instructor time and ratings, safety positions, management positions will get you the interview before hours will. In my class everyone was some type of instructor: sim, line, check airman and military equivalent.
Anything that shows you've gone above and beyond just flying the line.

TRUTH! I highlighted the above because I believe the Bachelor's and Master's outweigh all of the above including CP. As i've stated in other posts, I have done everything you can do in aviation CA/Capt/PIC Turbine/safety positions/TCE/Examiner...But haven't been called because i'm just shy of the BS Degree (coming soon). ALL of the airlines seem to choose the degree as the biggest point maker if you will.

I agree. Been applying for years and as soon as I completed my masters and updated resume I got a call the next open period. Not everyone needs a masters but it was what brought my app up to enough points to get an interview. Once at the interview everyone is equal I believe. Gotta get by the computers first.

That's a fact straight from the horse's mouth. Letters only help after one gets selected for an interview. The good old boy system of walking a letter in to a chief pilot and or the hiring folks is, sadly, dead.

I am just now starting my masters, I am heavily considering getting the 737 type, I need something to bump my app up. The masters is going to take me a couple years

BUT!!

Walking a letter in to a chief right before you interview still happens.

Can't hurt if you got the time and money and really want SW over anyone else. I know only 25% of those in class have the type anymore but training really likes the guys who have it. Not sure how many points that gets ya