I am a regional pilot now but making the move to corporate in the next couple months. So I cant offer any experiance from the corporate side but what I will say is this:
- IMO, you would be better off going regional first. Reason being, you will build a lot of time quickly, get a type rating and an ATP. The reason I received the corporate letter and others didn't is because I have been able to load my resume with time and experiance from my 700-800 hours per year at the regional. Otherwise, if you want to start out as a corp pilot, normally you have to get hired into the right seat of a 135 outfit. You won't fly much and your QOL will be worse than a regional. I create my schedule at least and have tons of time off.
Like I said though, I am leaving for corporate and chosing it over a major, for the time being. I have kept in contact with old friends and it opened up a corporate job for me. You still have plenty of time to pick one and change. Good luck!