It sure would be nice if the airlines rewarded pilots who have a lifelong passion for aviation and built diverse backgrounds over a longer period of time, but they don't. Experienced lifelong aviators crash planes too. Possibly even more. Fof every Al Haynes there are three guys who crash planes due to complacency.

The path to the easiest career and best chances at making it to the big time is to go straight to a regional if you can. There are no points given for second place the seniority list is everything and the airlines don't care if you flight instruct or went straight to a regional (they might even like the guys who go straight to a regional better).

All of your experience prior to upgrade at the regionals means nothing at all to the majors so the name of the game is to upgrade as fast as you can.

Skyhigh

P.S. You don't have to flight instruct or fly pipeline patrol for years before flying for the military. Experience is relative.