Back in '92, I asked Judy Tarver, the head of American Airlines pilot hiring at a NIFA competition, about background and why they tended to hire mostly military pilots. Her answer "American flies jets not props and the military guys have that experience." Her point is that while building time as an instructor is valuable, nothing will prepare you for real world turbine operation like real world turbine operation. Go for a regional. Since all of them are in a hiring crisis right now, go somewhere you want to live. I'm a midwest boy myself and flew with a large regional east of the mississippi. If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd try Horizon. I've flown on them in the back a few times and they are totally top notch. Free beer, Wall Street Journals, well maintained airplanes and they go to some great places you will never see again as a major pilot.