I am so very thankful for my stint in the regionals. However brief, I would not have survived both the type and line training without the experience. In my opinion, nothing sharpens and consolidates your skills like a 5 sector day and I had to lean heavily on this prior experience during my training. I could not have imagined a sucessful outcome for myself trying to learn a complex heavy while still figuring out the 121 (et al) stuff.

Disclaimer, I'm of exactly average ability - so maybe those more capable do find they can do both!