Mesa is filled with lifers as well. Some of them are making 12k a month too... Say what you want, there's very few jobs out there that you can walk into that offer a better QOL than a senior pilot at a 121 regional. I've tried to leave aviation in the past, what opportunities were available would have put me into a giant depression long term. If you have a good backup plan, good for you! Most of us better not quit our day job. If a major says yes, I'm going. If they don't, I'm a lifer. I am at peace with this reality.