Find out whether any of the emergent low-cost airlines (particularly one you would like to fly for) have any point-of-sale jobs where you get experience working with the general public, say as a dispatcher, on the check-in or perhaps as a short-contract cabin staff member (if there are such folk any more??). Keep your licence and ratings current by your own funding. After you've worked for them for a while, write to the Chief Pilot and explain that you have decided to gain experience working in the airline to learn customer relations and inter-personal skills rather than just attempting to bolster your case by bumbling up and down East Florida in a clapped-out rental C152 until you've achieved 1000 hours. Perhaps make a name for yourself as someone who is prepared to 'roll up his/her sleeves' for the good of the company and its brand image; you really want to fly for them when you get the opportunity, but you're prepared to learn the airline business from the 'shop floor'.
Only suggestions, but if I were a CEO I'd be far more impressed with an applicant who'd worked for my company and was thoroughly knowledgeable about the airline game behind the scenes rather than one who was just another ex-hours builder with absolutely no other work experience.
Best of luck with whatever you decide upon!
[This message has been edited by BEagle (edited 23 June 2001).]