Well Sir because of people like you (I am trying not to judge, specially since what is going on at Eagle. But that should have opened your eyes, not make you bend over for more), bottom feeders like Empire will keep getting pilots. Hope you don't become a lifer here. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. Also try and look at the 'good' airlines for your inspiration that pay well and provide a good QOL.
All the best with your application process. Me and many others here are looking for a out.
"Bottom feeder": I was stuck at a regional feeder than fell apart and parking planes. A bottom feeder is a company who does the same line of busy as it's peers for cheap. Mesa might be argued to be a bottom feeder when compared to, Compass or Skywest. I don't see Empire being a "bottom feeder" in the category of Cargo Feeders. I find MountainAirCargo and Ameriflight in that category. For someone who has 5000 of SIC turbofan P121 time. That pilot is better off getting turbine P121 PIC time. If one can't get hired on w a Major or Legacy cus they have5000 hours of SIC and lacking PIC turbine, I don't see any other way. Bottom feeder is relative. Compare it to Ameriflight, Alpine Air Cargo, Key Lime, MAC.
Bend over: I bent over at AE. I know all about that. "I should probably upgrade next year... Dang it... Okay 1 more year I bet... Dang it parking plans... Maybe 2 years...nope. I'm an SIC life here." I'm aware of your bend over phrase.
Good airlines for my inspiration: Alaska. Delta. UAL. AA. UPS. FedEx. Hawaiian. JetBlue. Just to name a few. applied to them all. Apps have been in for years. College education. Just lacking Turbine PIC.
See the light bulb? Probably not. For each their own. My analogy of Omni B767 was just of random choosing for conversation. But my resume would be better written with ATR-42 PIC time than anymore SIC time. Take care!