>>Not to mention, I don't want to go through my entire career at DAL as "the ASA guy who stole my seniorty"<<
What career at DAL? Many of the pilots at the commuters don't meet Delta's (lowered) standards (e.g. college, Baptist, no Corvette <g> ), would Delta have to take every commuter pilot that walked through the door under your imaginary plan? Somehow I don't think that's going to happen.
Apply, interview and come in through the front door...