I spoke to a chief pilot of a major uk charter co last week about the various routes in.I mentioned instructing and he reckoned someone with 1000 hrs on cessnas/pipers etc isn't really any better prepared for an airline job than a circa 250/300 hr pup.
From their point of view if they get 2 applicants one with lots of hours and one with low hours,both with no relevant type rating (and all other things being equal) then the low houred guy is preferred as he will be on a lesser wage (until 1500hrs) therefore cheaper for the company.Less likely that a young pup will be set in his/her own bad habits also.
I was quite suprised by his reply but has made me reconsider the FI route!
Yorks