Is Private Equity easier to get into as an associate if you were previously an analyst?

I know that recruiting for PE is very difficult as an associate. Let's say, however, you're currently an associate at a solid BB and had 2-3 years of previous analyst experience at a BB, does it make PE recruiting much easier? Or at that point are you really just too expensive to bring on that late in the game?

For context, I have accepted a return offer at a BB and was just curious, as someone who has seriously considered IB long-term, what exit ops look like later down the road for someone who is not a fresh, post-MBA associate.