When I interviewed w/ Eagle in 1999, SF3 & ATR upgrade was <24 months and they were advertising 5 yrs to AA. At the time AA was hiring 80/ month, and Eagle was hiring 40. All the other major and regionals were hiring full bore as well. By the time I finished IOE in early 2000 I was already starting to figure out that their math didn't work, and it would take longer. That was before 9/11 and the Lost Decade.

AA isn't hiring that much, the regionals aren't hiring that much, and it's pie in the sky. Recruiters and Crew Schedulers will tell you anything to fill their seats. Never forget that.

Sure, maybe there won't be another catastrophic event, economic downturn, or any of the other 100 things that affect airline profits and hiring. But maybe there will. Hope for the best, but PLAN FOR THE WORST. Go to the company that provides you with the best QOL and acceptable pay. Only you can know who that is for you. If that includes a flow through, then that should be your plan C or D. Don't let it be your plan A or B. Flow Through is a marketing tool to attract and keep regional pilots regional, not staff majors.

Good Luck with your decision.