When I hear these new guys excited about Mesa and Psa because of a promised 1 or 2 year upgrade I can't help but to laugh .These recruiters have one job and that is to get asses in classes lol and they will tell you anything in order to get you to show up.If you believe all the bs most of them are selling I feel sorry for you.Never pick a regional based on a promise of quick upgrade. Most of us out here have seen people who have tried to upgrade just because they had the time and couldn't cut the mustard and were shown the door.It happens all the time.It takes more skill and knowledge to sit in that left seat than most of you will ever know.Im not questioning anyone's skill set or abilities but in my opinion unless you have at least 6 or 7 thousand hours min and at least 3 years in the Plane you shouldn't even think of upgrade, just my opinion. Just because you meet the minimum requirements dosent mean you're ready for the responsibility.
Pick a regional that offers you the best quality of life with little or no commute.When you have to commute to work on mainly full airplanes, constantly getting bumped out of the jumpseat by mainline guys (unless you're fortunate enough to commute on your own metal), having to get a crash pad, pay for your food and transportation to and from the crash pad all while making peanuts, it's no fun.Not to mention commuting to or from work on your off days.Alot of these guys don't know what they are getting themselves into.No commute is the way to go.Mesa and Psa are promising quick upgrades but have the worst contracts along with Gojet and RAH.Skywest and Expressjet have better contracts and working conditions compared to those mentioned but upgrade times are longer, even though it will probably go down later on.Pick a regional that will give you better working conditions and lifestyle just in case that 1 year upgrade turns into 4 or 5 years , as it often does,you won't be stuck with sub par pay and work rules.The only thing that's certain to happen in this business is the exact opposite of what you think will happen.Throw in the fact that Mainline owns alot of these aircraft where the upgrade is promised, I would be a little leary. Mainline always finds loopholes in contracts in order to move planes around to suit their needs and always will.Please keep that in mind.Also I would think twice about a carrier like Air Wis or Trans States that fly 100% fifty seaters with no definite fleet replacement plan in place.Everyone knows the fifty seaters are on the way out so that would concern me.If someone is willing to throw you into a million dollar jet that easy , it should tell you something. Choose wisely. Very Wisely