Just a humble opinion .... .

Probably harder to fly a 402, keep it in balance and manage those Continentals than fly a 777. More rules on the 777. More flying on the C402.

I would not think you would be excluded, but probably the military guys will get hired first followed closely by the RJ Captains who already have ten or fifteen years flying passengers for that major. Of course the well connected will get hired before anyone.

Probably best to keep doing what you are getting paid to do, while working every good connection you find. In a few years the retirements will be be opening so many doors you will be picking where you desire to work. Better to be at the front of that line if you can.