The aviation industry is all about luck and timing. Some bad people have good luck on checkrides and some good people have bad luck, that is not to say that skill isn't involved. Timing has everything to do with career progression in the airlines. Some will stay at the regionals for life, some will go on to the majors, others won't make it to 121 at all (if thats what was intended) I know people from all of the above categories. Just remember, I'd like to say its all about skill, but it seems to be more about luck and timing.