Originally Posted by ZapBrannigan

the current generation of pilots has been conditioned to seek a quick upgrade, potentially at the expense of all else. Let me explain what I mean before you get upset. All else being equal, in years past would you rather go to Great Lakes, or SkyWest? Certainly there were some who sought out Great Lakes with the idea that rapid accumulation of PIC turbine was the golden ticket. But at what expense? If the music stops, as it often does in our business are you willing to gamble compensation and quality of life against that quick upgrade? That isn't to say that in your example SW has a better contract than JetBlue. They do in many ways, but imagine that they didn't. What if a pilot lived in Denver? Is JetBlue the right airline for them simply because the upgrade is a decade faster? The answer is maybe. Are they willing to move to JFK? BOS? Or MCO? Or are they constrained to DEN by a spouses job, a divorce agreement, or geographic preference?
This isn't a SW against the world thread - rather it speaks to how pilots choose any company over any other. I don't think it's too far out in left field to say that money (ie quick upgrade) is necessarily always the reason. I do agree, however, that it is always a factor but it is up to each individual pilot to determine what is most important to them whether that be geography, type of flying, days off, ability to commute, PBS vs line bidding, you name it... Why else would a United wide body FO in DEN forego an upgrade in ORD? Once you get to this level, it just doesn't matter as much. Unless, that is, you add ego to the argument...

Both JetBlue and SW are good companies and will offer good careers. One man's trash is another man's treasure. You just have to ask yourself what you are looking for and look to the company that is most likely to offer it.