Easier to get a major airline job in the 70s and 80s?
I have a large collection of Flying from the 70's and 80's and there seems to be many advertisements for 727/737 ratings included in the flight school ads. Was it possible back then to go straight to a major instead of having to fly at at a regional beforehand. I do realize that the "regional" airline concept was not totally in existence at this time, but I am just curious because it seems to me that this would mean that a lot of guys back then had it a lot easier because they could get to a major a lot earlier and with a lot less time. If this is true, then should they really complain and view their younger regional counterparts of today with such contempt based on the fact that the regional pilots of today have to work in a crappy job for atleast several years instead of going straight to a major? Like I said, I am not sure about the facts surrounding this and am not trying to start a big fight or disrespect older pilots. Thanks for any input!