I agree... A couple people from my new hire class got SJS and went to ASA, Air Whisky or Chautauqua, had to start at the bottom again for less pay and to sit on reserve
Within a couple months I had good seniority in base, decent pay increase after one year and usually get my first or second choice for lines.
Upgrade times aren't the best, but there's been a couple people I know hired from the right seat recently....
My advice, pick a place and stay with it and avoid commuting if u can, it sucks