I don't know that NAME starts calling it a deficiency until the workload is such that on average the pathologists must go over 325 (there's a calculation to include externals), but the "recommended" maximum number is lower. The NAME inspection checklist and autopsy standards are downloadable here, you can interpret for yourself:
http://thename.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=45&Itemid=26
ACGME starts dinging programs if a fellow does more than 300, at least when I was a fellow not so long ago, but again recommends substantially fewer (I seem to recall at least 200 so you see enough but not more than 250? I'd have to look it up. Most programs advertise that a fellow is expected to do about 250; at the big busy offices most will approach 300, but only a few go over that because of ACGME coming down on them).
The job hunt for me, and those I've spoken to from my year and the year or two before me, wasn't bad. I believe one or two didn't really get what they wanted, but still had a properly paying job on time. The annual NAME meeting, annual AAFS meeting, their associated websites, and your own office's pathologists seemed to be the primary sources for finding job opportunities. I chose about a dozen to contact, all but perhaps one returned contact, we spoke by phone, and they asked for my CV +/- a short and simple application (some of the state/county administrated positions require you step through some hoops before they'll bring you for interview). I don't recall anyone not offering an interview, though I only went to..er..three locations I think, two of them second interviews so I could bring my fiance. Most of the jobs advertised at $140k+ (but as low as ~$95k to as high as ~$190k; it may be higher in some expensive cities, but not that I saw advertised) straight out of fellowship, board eligible with expectation of getting AP & FP within 2 years. I was also coming from a "bigger" fellowship program. Most people have indicated that if one is just a little ambitious, in ~5 years or so the opportunity to land a deputy chief or chief position is very attainable.
Here's the catch.
Even though there are jobs out there (or were within the last 2 years), they're scattered. You won't be able to pick a city then find a job. You'll have to find a job and move where it's at. And, most of the jobs seem to be at smaller offices (2 or 3 FP's). Most of the advancement in title and pay (after you get AP & FP boards) is minimal, or will require moving again to take that deputy chief/chief job. If you want to work at a big place doing thousands of autopsies with a dozen other pathologists around you either need to do a fellowship there and hope a job opens up (many of the jobs at such places are filled internally like that) OR be willing to go to a body mill to be overworked and underpaid. The reason some people are willing to do this is that it's generally considered easier to go from a peon at a body mill to a deputy chief or chief anywhere than it is to go from a peon at a smaller office back to mere survival at any big-time office -- though I don't believe that's an accurate assumption.
All of that is possibly why you've heard people say they didn't get "good" offers, or moved from forensic back to surgical pathology before they really even got started.
