This is absolutely TRUE. There is at least one person to whom this rumour applies. If you think about it, if you get you CPL at 18, start instructing straight away and get to say 1000 TT. Join CityFlyer at 19 and fly around 500 hours per year (which is roughly what we do - average sector 1hr 15) this will give you 2000 TT. Command requirement at CityFlyer on either ATR or RJ is 2000 TT (with 500 Hrs on Type and at least 3 good base check reports).
Having flown with the person in question I can assure you that this philosophy works.
Hope this settles the debate.
Flap33