I went direct to a major airline after 9 years with Ameriflight. I've spoken with some pilots who are on the hiring board at my airline and they want recommendation letters, regional jet experience and of course military works also. If I were to do it again, I'd stay at AMF until I hit 1500 hours, get my ATP and head for the regionals. But I must admit, I look fondly back at my time with Cal Air Charter which later changed their name to Ameriflight. Like the great John Hazlett used to say "Ameriflight is like a self-cleaning oven"