Originally Posted by ShyGuy

I hope you realize that involves zero skill and all 100% timing and luck. You were fortunate to start at a regional right when regionals were expanding like gangbusters while legacies were furloughing or already had thousands furloughed post 9/11. Anyone hired at the average regional in 2002-2004 was either a direct entry Captain or was FO for 6 months to 2 years tops. From the timeline you wrote, it seems you spent 3yrs 4 mos and got outta there with plenty of TPIC for Delta. I spent 4.5 yrs and not a single drop of TPIC and yet it was the exact same employer as yours. That's the difference starting 4 years later makes.

You are correct the cycle shifts. If I had to give advice on a regional today there is only one: Compass.