I can't see how there is any real correlation that they are hiring guys simply because they flew the 175. It doesn't matter what you're typed in - everyone gets sent through Initial New Hire, whether you fly a C152 or a 175 before.

I guess you could probably argue they want a 175 guy because they already flew the airplane so they (maybe) have a marginally higher chance of passing training than someone that flew a CRJ or 145, but then again we are talking about legacy and major flight times here, where mostly everyone already probably has thousands of hours in jets anyway. I still think they would much rather value somebodies resume and background more than they would value a 175 type rating.