Trislander...wrong.
None of the airlines that sponsor
requirea PPL except the Cabair run KLM/British European schemes where you need at least 180 hrs when you start.
BA take people on with no hours and 100 hours. The other airlines that sponsor say that some experience of handling light aircraft would be advantageous....or words to that effect. I take it you haven`t applied to any yet, or you would know this already
If you want to wait until you have a PPL before you apply to the sponsorship schemes then I am sure nobody here would object
Anyway, the general gist of this is that a few hours would not do you any harm but a PPL with 200 hrs and an IMC and night rating would be a bit too much
cheers
Schooner