I taught the CRJ for a few years and I personally feel that gaining a CRJ type is a waist of time and money. Going to a regional isn’t like going to Southwest. Yes, get the 737 type for Southwest because it’s worth a job at SWA and they required it before training (per SWA Mins). There isn’t a single regional out there that requires a type. Pay less and take a course that gives you glass training and advanced systems knowledge (turbine engine theory, A/C, pressurization, avionics, electrical, etc.) There’re schools out there that give you better training than an RJ Type and cost a fraction of the price. Yes, you don't have it listed on you ticket; you also don't have the loan either. The CRJ type is over rated. I'm just thankful that I didn't have to pay for mine. My CRJ training didn't help me get the job and I taught the DAMN thing. When they offered the RJ to me I took the EMB. My reason, the EMB class was a month before the RJ so I now have seniority over all those RJ pilots who had to wait. Seniority is everything.

I don't think you will ever find a bridge program to SW. They are strict on there 1000/100 mins. Here at SW it's all about who you know. The best bridge program is to have a few CFI's get hired and let the funnel begin.

I was a CFI as well as a RJ instructor for Pan Am and in the last 2 years over 40 pilots have been hired here from Pan Am. Ever month a new class starts and odds are that Pan Am has a few pilots there. I'm not saying go to Pan Am. I'm saying get hired and help the flow. 95% of the pilots from Pan Am got hired here because of who they know.

Good luck and my best advice to you is waiting for SW. Don’t go to Mesa at 700 hours. You talk to 99 out of 100 SW pilots and they will say “You only leave SW for your DREAM JOB. Make sure your DAMN curtains its wants right for you because you’re giving up a seniority number at a DAMN good airline.” Can anyone say that about another regional? No, because SkyWest is the best. SW is worth waiting for. Get the interview and it you don’t get hired them for to Mesa or someone else. You won’t regret it.