Pete Smalls:
You should also be aware of another aspect.
A pilot with only about 300 total hours who makes it through a CRJ First Officer program is one excellent student. However, they must adapt to demanding city pairs during all kinds of weather, and help the Captain cope with limited fuel versus changing weather limitations etc. And malfunctions in the real world.
However, a very serious hang-up for some airlines and some students is the fact that many such students have very limited PIC hours-often too few for the ATP requirements.
There might be a new "program" which allows the student to cut a corner on the number of minimum PIC hours required for the ATP, in order to avoid staying forever in the CRJ's FO seat. I have no idea if it will be introduced or allowed. Legally, to change an FAR and allow as a substitute a ratio of SIC to PIC hours, would be a first in the US.
Reportedly a Chief Pilot (H.) quit over this concept being seriously discussed at a US regional airline.
Hang in there and good luck. As you earn your ratings, if a company's ops specs somehow allow (despite weight or liability restrictions) you to fly in the middle of the night with somebody, in whichever type of aircraft-whether recip, Caravan, ATR-42-(make sure that the return trip leg can bring you back to where your car is)- do it, so that you can observe! Even with some guy in his private airplane, do it!
