Have apps in everywhere the entire time, get to 1000 tpic asap, and near the end ramp up the networking. Getting somewhere that you can stay long term in case the economy burps should be your #1 priority. You can make a career work at a LCC if you have to. Sticking it out for a decade at a regional dealing with a mickey mouse operation isn't going to improve your resume.

Delta said the same thing to me three years ago. "We want captains..." but what they aren't saying is that getting hired by a LCC, background checked, trained, and gaining experience under a new/different FOM takes a lot of effort and a certain caliber of person. It shows you are trainable, likeable, and proficient at a different level. Regionals hiring standards haven't exactly been selective and AQP has made it possible to have a great resume but be a complete doorknob. I threw a LCC on my apps and had offers from Southwest, Alaska, Delta, and United. LOR's don't go bad for a lot of places so keep racking them up and beating down all doors. Good luck!