if you are capable, try running a spreadsheet on monthly guarantee versus hourly rate for each year until you retire. I did. I gave USAirways a 4 year upgrade on the E190 where most other majors I gave between 7-10 years. Anyway, even with the early upgrade USAirways still comes in at total career earnings below Spirit and over $350k below DAL, 1.9m behind SWA. Just sayin.

Just to add I actually make only ~$250k total career earnings less if I stay at my RJ outfit till 65 versus going to USAir.. Not my plan, but man those rates at Airways are really that bad..