[QUOTE=pilotdilemma]...Is it even realistic to attempt this with the hope of making it to the regionals in few years?...QUOTE]

In an few years?? How about six months or less? Get current, say 40 - 60 multi hours (I know, $$$). Get an MEI if you don't have one. And apply. The bottom is falling out of the hiring times out here. ExpressJet, AE, Mesa, Colgan etc al are hiring and mins are dropping to 500 - 600 hours or less. And you are a UND grad. Bingo. We (Colgan) would look at you now, if you had recent hours with some multi. In fact at the last open house we interviewed and hired a guy with your story and times (80 multi). Great attitude that impressed us all.

At last check the only large regionals not hiring are those owned by Chap 11 Majors and even some of those are hiring.