I think pilots are missing an important step here between CFI and regional pilot. I saw another post on here from someone saying they learned how to fly the ILS into BUF at night with icing in a twin cessna full of bank checks. That is the missing step. You will learn more from operating part 135, at night, in the weather with poor equipment...all by yourself. There is no one else to hold your hand, autopilot or other crew member.

After spending a winter flying boxes around at night in the ice/snow to tiny uncontrolled airports in a twin turboprop /A (no gps/FMS or any other fancy gizmos), flying a regional aircraft two crew, with an autopilot, heated cockpit, etc would be a trip to heaven. And I would feel much more confident flying that larger regional aircraft than the CFI who just left the C-172 to slide into the CRJ-700.

Back when all the regionals were hiring I tried to get others to come play in the cargo world but they just turned up their noses and went to their airline jobs. I feel like they missed an important step that would have really forced them to get those good decision making experiences we are all speaking of.

P.S. Those regional pilots are now coming to me looking for a job.