Below is the same response I posted on another forum earlier today:
One of the companies I fly for hired a fellow for a direct flying job this spring with 50 hours floats. I'm guessing he's logged about 200+ hours this summer and has a firm position for next year.
I know another pilot who got a direct hire flying position, again with 50 hours floats but then the recession forced the parking of the aircraft so she remained on the doc for most of the summer. She got a bit of flying in towards the end of the season and will most likely get a call back in the spring.
I personally haven’t heard of any 7 hour rating guys getting even a dock job this summer. I think it’s a combination of fewer over all jobs and the 50-300 hour guys are taking the dock jobs that the 7 hour guys would have normally gotten.
I’m predicting next season will be much the same; if you don't have at least 50 hours of float time you wont be getting even a doc job let alone a float flying gig.
my 2c