Do remember that you can go one place, get some 121 time and then go some place else better. You don't have to stay with the same regional for 5+ years. Your marketability increases as you get some jet time under your belt. So if you aren't competitive for one of the "good" regionals right now, you will be after one year at XJT or Eagle...keep that in mind as well.

One thing to constantly remember is that this is a business...and it doesn't care about the time you spent preparing for it or your passion for flying airplanes. Treat it as such. The business exists to make money...so do you. AMR wasn't able to make money with Eagle on their terms so what are they doing to them? Comair II and shifting flying to other carriers. None of these companies are going to pay you what you're worth, so what should you do? Use them in the same fashion and shift your talent around to the carriers that enable you to get where you ultimately want to be. The sooner you get on board with that mentality, the easier it will be to not become demoralized.

There is no pilot shortage, but the retirement numbers at the legacies are no lie. So long as they keep making money, hiring should continue and you are in a good position to take advantage of that. Good luck!!!