Captain,
How much multi engine time do you have? Do you have a 4 year degree? If the answers are 1) at least 100 or so and 2) Yes, then you would probably be able to find a freight job. Companies like
www.ameriflight.com are all over the country.
As for a Regional.. that depends. I've seen People get hired at Chicago Express (Saab 340's) with 400 hrs because they know somebody at the company or did an internship. But then recently one of my friends got hired at Continental Express with 1800hrs - most of which is multi IFR time - and he said he was one of the lowest time pilots at the interview. So it depends on the company you are applying to. As far as is it better than Australia - yes by a long way.... there are a lot more companies over here.
Weasil.