You make a valid point. But let's hate the game for a moment and not the player. One reason folks upgrade at mins is because of Mesa's awful, industry low FO pay. You can disagree with me but it's the truth, and JO has specifically set it up that way. If that weren't the case and I were making $40k plus a year, then I would probably stay an FO for a little while longer as my schedule rocks bidding top 25% in base.

To other reason is career progression, which we all know why. I have given some serious thought into jumping ship and going to another regional with better FO pay, but contributing to management's sadistic whipsaw motives is a last resort for me personally.

That being said I am doing everything I can to be as prepared as possible for upgrade training. I have had the fortunate experience of flying with some very seasoned Captains in PHX. I've had the chance to pick their brains and talk about different scenarios that one might face as a CA. I can count on one hand the number of CAs I've flown with who have been with the company less than 10 years, so again I've been very fortunate to fly with some very experienced and knowledgeable CAs who do everything they can to impart that knowledge to us younger FOs. Also I am transferring to DFW and bidding landings in places like GRR, DSM, and FSD to get experience flying in winter weather.

I can't speak for the FOs you hear bragging about upgrades in the crew room, but I am definitely taking this seriously and want to be as prepared as possible not to just make it through training, but to be a safe and competent CA.