I challenge anyone to spend a day driving a Q400 and then tell me it's easier to fly than a jet. Mix in the type of airfields we go to and the weather we're constantly in, and I'm convinced that as a low hours pilot, one gets more valuable experience in a TP than a jet.
Whether it's as valuable to your logbook and/or bank balance is another question . . .
I very nearly had to choose between a 737 (self funded TR) and a Q400 job. I'm actually quite glad I didn't get as far as being offered the 737 job, so the decision was taken out of my hands. Another friend of mine did have to choose - he went for the Dash. I think he made the right choice.