"they all say that flying cessnas didn't have a lot of translation into a RJ"

It's not so much about a 172 flying like an RJ, but about the experience of teaching and things you learn about the system working as a CFII. Instructing is hardly a waste if you look at if from the standpoint of it making you a better pilot, overall.

The experience of being a CFI will pay off two years down the road when one upgrades and is forced to fly with the next 300 hour newb who just got off IOE.

I'd love for your to ask your CFI's, once they are new RJ Capts, if their time gaining experience as a CFI was a "waste of time". Or if they still feel like the "get there as fast as you can at any cost" guy is the guy they want to sit next to.

What cracks me up about this age old argument is, that in general, the pro-low time guys are the ones just starting out and the anti-low time guys are the Capts who have been in the biz for a while....