Luke Skytoddler - what a fantastic post - you took the words out of my month and wrote it far better than I ever could have.
I have flown (and still do) the single piston as an FI, and am now on the 31seater tp, having a great time. To get here, I have had to work my butt off and not just sticking stamps on envelopes !!
I know people straight out of flying school who have recently turned down jobs on turboprops because it was only a turboprop and not a jet. Now they are on jets they are still not happy because they have to drive an hour each way to the airport. You see, these people not only think they are owed a living, but they want it all on a plate - all part of the 'I want it now' brigade.
VC - My advise - get an FI rating - get some hours and experience; fly the aircraft yourself, make your own mistakes - get networking - all my airline jobs so far have been because I know somebody.
Good luck, stick at it.....