As someone that's seen my "career" at a regional go about as good as it could over the last 13-14 years, I'd strongly recommend that you get to/move onto a Legacy type airline as soon as possible. The pay and benefits are significantly better at mainline.

Even nearing year 15 pay as a RJ Captain at SkyWest, I'll make less than most FOs at Delta and United in their 2nd or 3rd year. And they'll get nearly 3x the retirement contribution I'll get as well.

I've even advocated for the "regional lifer" position in the past, but now believe that was a mistake.

--my perspective as someone that's been in the left seat of a RJ now for a decade, in the top 10-15% of the seniority list, gets a pretty good schedule, and hasn't seen reserve in 8 years. I'd trade it for the bottom number on someone else's list now.