Actually, if I had to make the same decision today, I'd still leave Eagle. The writing is on the wall there and as bad as things might get here, they will be worse there.

Think of it this way; If AA simply becomes Eagle, I've made lateral move that keeps my pay and schedule at least as good as it was, instead going down. Eagle was good for me though. My schedule allowed me to start and run two businesses on the side, BOTH of which made me more money then flying. Although I only have one now, I am blessed with not depending on flying for an income. A mid-seven figure investment portfolio and virtually no debt also helps.

Thanks for the welcome, though. I figure I had to at least try life on the "other side" before I left the industry. It seems the year I spent here is the last vestages of that life and soon, I'll work for just another LCC, with medocre pay and a 401(k) just like you. The poor pilots in the 25-40 range have the worst of all deals. Spending your career flying larger RJ's only to see all that extra ca$h go somewhere else will only be less painful then doing that for a decade or more and then finally moving to a former major that isn't much better (that's IF they ever leave due to shrinking mainline ops). Choking up $50-75,000 extra greenbacks in college to do it, makes it absurd. The other guys at their colleges making twice the dough for half the investment have to be shaking their heads.

Let's face it..........it isn't even a career any more, it's now just a job on par with the average Home Improvement store manager except you're away from home more often. My neighbor does HVAC and doesn't even own the company and makes more then most mainline captains today. Sad, but that's where we are now. If AMR gets their term sheet, UAL and DAL won't be far behind and then you too will retire at a regional carrier that just doesn't have any RJ's.

Then, I'll be able to welcome YOU to the regionals.