Alligator was my second job, as with most others when I was there.
Kunus used to have about a 500 hour minimum to get in. Slingair managed to uphold it for a couple of extra years to Alligator, but due to decreasing experience levels, they are forced to hire green CPL holders.
Prior to about 2006/2007 we went to stations, hung around flying schools, ferried aeroplanes, hung around aero clubs and private aircraft owners. We basically did whatever we could to get to about 500 hours.
I had 560 when I started at Alligator.