I heard this a lot while I was at the regionals. And I don't blame people for thinking that way. The reality for many though is they will not a have a choice. For one reason or another, they will get stuck at a regional. Many never make it to a legacy or major carrier. Bad interview, poor preparation, too many strikes against them, bad timing, lack of degree. And that will not change. Even with a 'shortage', people will fail to move on. I know many, many pilots who are stuck. One failed interview after the next. Now they are looking at lower tier carriers and in this business, even that isn't guaranteed.

Plans are one thing. Reality is a whole different ball game. Not everyone will make it to a major. Planning on that might be a better plan B, and when you move on, it will be a nice surprise.