There is no magic number. There will be guys that have been working for FlyBe for their entire flying careers with 10,000hrs, yet as of a few days ago are not able to find a job. Nobody is hiring on the Dash-8, nobody is hiring on anything. Don't get a magic number into your head thinking that 'once i've got X number of hours, it's basically job done'. Be practical and be flexible. When you do make it, try to get onto a Boeing or an Airbus as quick as you can and then you'll have the magic number - though you're never safe. Even if you've got both. The industry is fickle and you've just got to adapt and be prepared for the wait.