Crossky...Um...I didn't think I had to qualify that you needed 2 or 3 thousand hours before you become competitive. I just thought most people already knew that! Hell, I hear that at SWA 2000 hrs PIC is what you must have to even get an interview!! Most RJ guys who don't have a check airman certificate can't even "count on it". I didn't have one when I left lakes, so I know for a fact you don't need one. Nore did I have a silver bullet or know anybody on the inside. I was just some schmuck just like everybody else. So, in my opinion, you can still count on the fact that you will be able to go to a major or LCC straight out of Lakes, and get there much faster than from most any other regional!!