You'll probably need currency for the second tier and ULCC majors, but it doesn't hurt to attend any informal meet the chief type events available to get a conversation started. But absolutely do get professional advice *before* you apply to any majors, or even attend an event... you need to address your issue correctly without stepping on your crank.

If you're who I think you are (rather famous situation from that era), I suspect that you should be able to overcome the hiccup and get a major job, possibly even a legacy job with some currency. Again it all comes down to how you handle the discussion.

Also, I'm pretty sure that OO would take you back right now. You'd get full longevity for pay and bennies for your eight years, and they'd probably let you go in as a DEC if you wanted. That will be a bit challenging, but people do it. It would be easier if you went back on the airplane you flew previously, assuming that's the CRJ. But in your shoes, you really can't afford to try DEC and then fail to complete training, that would just be one more black mark, so probably safer t go in as an FO and then upgrade in a few months if needed.