You have to also take into consideration that at Ameriflight, you're not flying with other Captains very often and so it's hard to network to know when someone gets on somewhere "bigger and better". At the regionals, one thing you have is strength in numbers. With a bigger pilot group at these regionals you have possibly a better chance of networking with other pilots to get to that next step. With that said, I wouldn't trade my time at Ameriflight for anything. Some of the most fun flying I have done to this point in my career. They helped make me a pretty darn good pilot.

Also, don't let some of these guys fool you thinking you need "121 time" or "jet time" to get with a national or legacy carrier. Myself and one of my friends from AMF are over hear at Allegiant in the MD80 and we both couldn't be happier. We also raised some eyebrows from the guys in the training department; apparently Freight Dogs who fly Metroliners who never flew at a 121 carrier, no FMS experience, or swept wing jet experience, can fly an MD80 pretty well. :-D

What it comes down to is good networking, do well in all your checkrides, and when you interview at XYZ Airline of your dreams, you convince them that you are trainable, that you will pass their training, and that they can stand to be with you on a 4-day trip.

Hope this helps.

Side Note: In regards to your last statement, I felt the MD80 was an easier step for me coming from a Metroliner than some of my classmates coming from Airbus, Embraer, and RJs. The MD80 is literally a step back into time.