The 135 operator that I currently work for is once again short on pilots. I'm on an 8-on/6-off reserve schedule, and can pretty much pick up as much flying as I want during my off days. FAR 135 minimums cause us to loose a lot of potential (as well as current) pilots to the regionals. It's really hard for us to fight SJS (Shiny Jet Syndrom) when the regionals will take pretty much anyone with a pulse and put them in the right seat. Why would a 300TT/50ME guy not take that job when he needs 1200TT the get a 135 PIC gig? It's a shame, though, that folks are passing up 135 jobs to go to the regionals. The time I've put in my logbook flying 135 night freight is without equal. The education and experience is invaluable, and will propell me to much better things down the road. That... and I actually get to fly the plane, not just raise the gear. :-)