I spent some time flying in Alaska. Flying small airplanes up to 3500' AGL. After Alaska, I tried a regional (Mesa uhg!). Half way through the training I knew I made a BIG mistake, so I didn't finish, call me a washout or what you will. I love flying too and being told climb to this altitude and turn to that heading didn't appeal to me too much. In Alaska, my job was "take these 5 people, the family dog and 10 boxes of fish to destination" (fill in the blank), how I got there was my choice. Sometimes it was over the water, the forest and when the weather was good I'd fly over the icefields. Everyday I saw something that was spectacular, plus I made more money than most people flying regionals and the company treated me very well. I never was required to work on my days off, stay by the phone or sleep in a dirty airplane on a 4 hour layover. In fact I never worked nights, I was home in bed everynight!

I'm not saying this is for everyone. You need to decide what kind of flying you want to do and what your long term goals are. If flying a big jet is your goal then find the best company that offers turbine time and offers the highest Quality of Life possible. Make sure it is with a company that VALUES it's employees.

Just yet another viewpoint!

P.S. Mesa Sucks and J.O. is an AzzMunkey!!