Well, being "stuck" on a Dash 8 / ATR72 flying for a large operator from your home town is much different than flying a "light" TP in likes of Metroliner, Saab 340, Do-328, L410, etc. in a small company.
It's much more difficult to progress from a sub 20-ton non-EFIS TP to jet, especially to a normal airline (not charter airline with 2-3 aircraft), which offers stability. Especially if you want don't want to go to the right seat again for couple of years. Just look at the requirements of various jet companies in Europe and rethink...