That's just plain wrong.
Each segment is a minimum 500 *status* miles.
I quote from
http://www.usairways.com/dividend/levels/index.htm
*Paid, qualifying Preferred Miles (actual or minimum of 500 miles per flight, whichever is greater) and Preferred Segments must be flown within each calendar year on US Airways, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle and MetroJet by US Airways. Members must re-qualify each year to retain their membership.