Ok, I'll try to tackle this eternal question: "which one is better, Airline A or Airline B".

First you need to examine your situation:

Are you young, single, not attached in any way and looking to get hired with a major someday? If this is the case, the choice is easy. You find out where the first upgrade would be, try to go there (commute if necessary), and fly as much as you can. Money be damned. Simple. Don't get "comfortable." Thats the worst word in the dictionary to an aspiring pilot falling under this paragraph.

Are you married, have kids, and/or a compelling reason to be in a particular area of the country? That one is MUCH harder to address. Any financial planner will tell you the single biggest thing you can do to protect your financial future is NOT GET DIVORCED! No small accomplishment in this industry. If this is your situation you need to find a place that can give you the right mix of time at work and at home, tending to the family. Also, money, security, and benefits DO matter in this situation as you are trying to support your family. Look at location, money, benefits, and security and make your decision based on these factors. It will take you much longer to make it to a Major (if that's your goal) but your family life will more than make up for it.