So, at RAA you spend around 72k to get hired at 500 hours? There are schools out there where you could spend half that, instruct another 500 hours (six months), and be at the same place...qualified as an entry level F/O.

Spending time as a CFI makes you a better pilot, overall. I'm glad RAA guys at least get their CFI's and work as CFI's for a time. That takes them off my Gulfstream/FSA direct track sh*t list. ATP CFI's can get on with low time, too, if they do the RJ transition course. They can also instruct another 500 hours and skip it. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.