The seniority / timing thing isn't an issue exclusive to guys & gals waiting to get released by their regionals. Folks coming from the military often have to wait several months (hundreds of seniority numbers) from when they were offered an Indoc date to when they can actually attend one based on their service commitments. In these cases, these people are finishing their commitment to their country...not to another airline. So RJ folks looking to come to a major aren't the only ones with timing challenges.

In addition, the seniority date vs. class date has worked out very well for some former RJ pilots. I had one flying his observation rotation with me 2 years ago. He was delighted to find out that he got his CJO after me and completed Indoc and training after me but was still several hundred spots senior to me.