Okay, you asked for opinions, and I will give you mine.

A bit of background on me: did the 135 stuff for 8-9 years, corp for 1, am 46, single, no kids. I left the 135 world about six months before I would have lost my job due to my employer's shrinkage. I came to what was at that time a "bottom feeder" regional. Since then, I have upgraded, gotten a decent contract, can hold a decent line, and have as much job security as anyone can have in aviation. I am quite happy being a "lifer" at my regional because I don't want to go back to being the FNG with no seniority even if I will make more.

First off, why do you want to go to the airlines? Travel benefits (not what they used to be)? Better overnights (maybe, but probably not until you get to the mainline)? Better pay (at a regional, you would need to be about a 4-6 year captain to make what a King Air CA usually makes)?

So, you are 43 and have no degree. The lack of a degree pretty much prohibits you from going to a major (there are exceptions, but in general, you are stuck). As a regional FO, you will make far less that you make now, and upgrade times range (realistically) from 3+ years to 5 years (with some companies approaching infinity). So, for the sake of argument, you go to a regional, spend 4 years in the right seat, then upgrade. Now you are 47, probably still have no degree (junior FOs don't have much time for school), and are just getting back to what you earned in the King Air. A year or two and you should be able to hold a decent line. Life is pretty good especially if you live in base. You now have the choice of staying at the regional or, if you have gotten your degree, going to a major...... and going back to the right seat and crappy schedules.

The advantage of an airline is you have hard days off. The disadvantage is you may have to commute, or if you live in base, your base may be closed. Admittedly, if your base is a hub, the odds are better that it won't close.

I don't know what your current schedule and on the road time is. At a regional, unless you live in base, you better figure on four days away and three days off. As a junior guy, those three days might mean you only have one day at home due to the commute. As a senior guy, you could actually be at home all three days.

I know being on call sucks, but if you are working for a decent company with a reasonable schedule, the odds are you are better off there that at a regional. Another benefit to 135 is when you lose your job, you can find another with comparable pay a QOL, whereas in the airlines, you go back to square one.

So, the short answer is this: unless you REALLY hate your job, I would stay put.... but keep looking for other 135 or corporate jobs. The 135 guys I know are on average happier than those who switched to a regional. Especially the over 40 guys.

If I were still in the 135 world, I would probably stay there. Were I to lose my job now (Saab CA), I would probably go back to 135. I had no turbine or jet time before I cam to my regional, but now I do. And I know I could find a "better quality" 135 job now.

If you DO go for a regional, chose one you could be happy retiring from (average or better contract and a big base where you want to live). Just like marriage, there are no guarantees, but at least you will have made a bet with the odds in your favor.

Good Luck,
j