A pathway program is not necessary, those exist mainly to get you emotionally invested in that particular regional while you're inexperienced and impressionable. Decide which regional(s) you want to work for, and if they offer pathway/cadet programs then you might as well participate. But choose based on your needs.
Low time jobs are probably readily available now due to the shortage. But traffic watch, patrol, drop zone ops will not prepare you well for airline training. CFI will be better, 135 would be best. Research 135 outfits carefully, make sure their reputation is good. Some are horrible places to work, others do "survival of the fittest" style training (a 135 checkride bust will not help your major airline prospects).
Assume that you will need/want to progress to a major, for a variety of reasons.