Justamushroom, you fly for SkyWest?

As for the ego, you're definently right about seeing through the BS and hiring the best. I got a friend whose flying with UND, formerly with Mesa PD (he defected because, like everyone else, he learned that Mesa truly sucks). He says the programs are pretty intense and run you through the ringer on everyflight. It seems they really force you to perform, so I'm not sure about the "handed to them" mentality. At least not from what I've observed. You may have been able to fly with some graduates, so you probably know better than I do. Even if I were to go and pick up a CRJ type to add some attraction and prepare me, it wouldn't be until after spending at least a year or so doing traditional instructing.

Also many people go through those schools to become instructors, not to go direct to airline jobs. Several of the instructors at my friendly neighborhood flight school got most of their stuff (IFR, Comm, CFI, etc) from ATP. They also recommended that I got there to do multiengine when the time comes, as opposed to trying to learn twin flying on the school's expensive and gigantic Baron.