I'm going to go with the theory that there is a correlation with the bottom of the barrel regionals and checkride failure rates, but not because of a devious management plan to keep pilots from moving on. I mean training pilots is not cheap and the less training they give you in preparation for your checkride the cheaper it is for the company and the greater your chances of busting a checkride. I haven't busted a checkride yet, but I attribute it to individual preparation and even more to luck. I believe in "bad days" because I've had them during training.

Some companies invest 'x' amount of $ into training and as long as you meet them halfway in doing your own part you'll be alright. Other companies invest considerably less and thus require the individual pilot to meet the training department 80% of the way to have the same preparation as the other guy. That's just my point of view.... it may not be the absolute truth, but it makes me feel a little better in explaining why my buddy at Skywest doesn't have to sweat as much as I do during recurrent.