Hi!
The low-time 121 airline pilots were coming from all over. The US does no have any "cadet-type" programs like much of the rest of the world does. Guys would go to their local airport, get their hours with the local instructor, and then go to a "regional" airline, often starting out in jets.
They were so desperate (2008 timeframe) that they were hiring guys with less than 200 total hours and other guys without their Commercial License (PPL only at the time of hiring).
cliff
LFW