I agree that living in your base changes this job significantly for the better AT FIRST but.....

What if you don't live in, or near a regional base?

Then how do you choose?

I think a big problem on this board is that the only thing anyone knows about this business is from the last 15 years. During that time an unprecedented chain of events lead to an even more unprecedented stretch of stagnation.

"Don't chase a quick upgrade" is the accepted view on this site. Why is that? Well because some guy, probably on this website back in like 2005 said it and everyone ran with it. Now that statement is everyone's battle cry about why this industry sucks. It's absolutely RIDICULOUS to not look at a place with projected movement. Even if it doesn't lead to an upgrade, at least you come off reserve and maybe have a better choice of schedule with more money in your bank account.

For me, money and time off is QoL. I don't think many would argue with that. As much as commuting sucks I'd rather commute to 18 days off with 90+ hours worth of credit in my bank than live in base on reserve with 11 days off and 75 hours on my paycheck.

"But but but....You might get stuck there for years!" I might slip in the damn shower and break my neck. Someone I love may get sick and I have to quit my job and take care of them. A freakin' meteor might hit the earth. What ifs, maybes, and conjecture are not a reason to choose a key cog in your career progression.

The fact that majors will be hiring, probably in significant numbers, for at least the next 10 to 15 years is such a game changer. Guess what, NO ONE ON HERE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN because NO ONE has been around while that has happened, especially in this regional sub-forum.

Using information available for me today I'm choosing Compass, PSA, Mesa, RAH. Probably in that order. We all know that some FOs have been hired from regionals in to a "next level" job. However, like it or not, turbine PIC is a HUGE factor in hiring decisions. Perhaps in 10 years when retirements are really ramped up FOs might truly start getting scooped up regularly but who wants to wait 10 years and be on the back end of hiring?

If it's so easy for an FO to be hired why haven't I been hired yet? I have over 5000 hours, about 3000 of which is 121 jet. I have worked as a CFI, been a check airman(as a CFI, not 121), part 91 jet, part 135 single pilot cargo and PAX. I have a 4 year college degree and a squeaky clean driving/criminal record. I'd say thats pretty varied, and valuable experience. I check all the boxes.....except one. Why hasn't my phone rang?

For the foreseeable future 121 turbine PIC will be what gets you an interview. Will there be exceptions? Sure. FOs will absolutely get hired. 9 out of 10 will have turbine PIC though.

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Going to a stagnated regional "because you agree with how they operate" is not a smart career decision. Tear me up all you want, call me a sellout, or an idiot. It's not.