They stick to it unless you know someone really good, the company reeeeally needs pilots and you're lucky at the same time. Ain't that the way it goes in this business... But, seriously, maybe 2-3 pilots in total that have been hired with <800h tt.
However: WF will not be able to keep the 800h requirement in the future, even though pilots from all over Europe are applying now. Rumour has it that they'll have to start reducing towards 2-300hrs next year! Either way - you can do the tests first, and then wait for the crummy 800hrs before starting your t/r!
Hot tip: call and /or show up in person. That's how I, and a lot of my colleagues, got called in for testing
