The Company I work for has taken pilots with less than 200 hrs and has pilots with less than 1000 hrs total flying C441.
When recruiting junior pilots, let's face it - there is little difference between a 150 hr pilot and a 250 hr pilot. The important thing is temperament, maturity and sense of professionalism. The "insurance" thing is largely a cop out, in my opinion - an easy way to show a pesky wannabe the door...
However, the moment that we suspect a pilot will work for free, he gets shown the door. It's difficult enough in GA without pilots undermining the profession. Anyone who thinks that working for free to get hours will translate into being able to demand better pay and conditions later is kidding themselves, undermining the rest of us and condemning future pilots to more of the same crappy apprenticeship into the industry.
However, we are not a skydiving operation. Of the specifics of that niche of the industry, I have little direct experience.
Last edited by Flying Bear; 17th Aug 2013 at 09:56.