The perfect storm was 6 years ago. Much like it is now until economy tanked and retirement age was raised to 65. One of them we didn't really have control over. There's nothing wrong with using regionals as stepping stone to get in and get out. That was what regionals were meant for. Unfortunately for many of this, this stepping stone turned into sinking sand. Meanwhile many of us are fighting for major/lcc like contract at a regional. That's like the doctors interning wanting to stay at their residency and demanding higher pay and QOL. It's definitely an uphill battle especially when the regionals will most likely disappear in the next ten years due to lack of pilots.