Yes you need to meet the airline minimums. These minimums were set in stone by the FAA. If you go through the military or a part 141 collegiate flights school there are slight reductions in the hour requirements (however those schools charge premiums so the cost offset might not be worth it).
Also regarding airline pathway programs, they aren't worth the paper that they are written on. All it is, is an advertising gimmick for the flight school. In the current 121 environment you will be able to pick whatever regional airline that you want to go to.