It is rather short-sighted (financially) to get bent out of shape over hotel not being provided during training and only 18 hours of pay during home study (CBT). Even if you were granted single occupancy hotel and min guarantee during the 30-day home study, the difference in compensation might add up to a grand total of $4,250. I figure 45 nights in the hotel (way more than you would need btw) for commuters at $50 = $2,250 (I paid a grand total of $850 on hotels during training, which was extended due to the FAA shenanigans in Mar 2011), plus 1 month of min guarantee during CBT = $2,000.

Barring some unforeseen economic or global catastrophe, upgrade time here will be less than 3 years until the flow is done. Min guarantee for a captain here on 3rd year pay is about $5,500 / month. Line holders will be closer to $6,500 + per diem. Considering min upgrade times at most other regionals are 5+ years, it is a worthwhile investment.

And for those of you placing bets on new bases, put me down for $5 on LAX, that's my best guess....but hopefully I'm wrong and it's actually SEA