It makes for a good story but the hard truth is that no one cares how you got there. In fact if you had a shorter path to the regionals and did not take it you could be considered to be less than enthusiastic about your career. There is supposed to be a sense of urgency upon your part and taking the long road gives the opposite message. The airlines like youth success and not ten year FO's or middle aged regional airline captains. The hiring boom in the regionals will not last forever. Seniority is everything. The hero and zero are often separated be only a handful of seniority numbers. I would write the check if I were you.

Besides, flying an airliner has little to do with touch and goes in a Cessna 152. You are building great experience if you intend to be a life long flight instructor, but not to be an airline pilot.

SkyHigh