I believe we are in complete agreement here.

"Don't come here and expect to rent an apartment first year."
Right. You will not be able to afford even the smallest efficiency apartment within the 90 minute call out of IAD.

"Get a room with roommates on Craigslist or find another Mesa pilot to live with."
Right. This will be your only option. You will need more than one roommate, though, so find a couple or more pilots to live with.

"Even on first year pay, you can afford $400 rent."
Correct. That is about how much you will have provided you don't have students loans or any other monthly payments.

"Live in base."
Right. That's the point. Trying to. That's why a Crashpad with a 10 night per month limit won't work.

"You're right, knowingly putting yourself on welfare is sh*tty, so don't do it. Nobody is making you. My first year W2: $22,800."
Correct. And the $22,800 is below the required minimum income to qualify for "welfare" housing so isn't an option anyway.

"Also, if you're the sole breadwinner supporting a family or in massive debt and choose to come to a regional, ****** you. There are tons of better paying non-121 flying jobs out there."

Couldn't agree with you more. Which takes us back to my original purpose of posting this information for others. As prospective employees make their choice of which regional to join or which flying job to go to, they need this information so they can make an informed decision and choose the job that works for them. It does Mesa no good, to hire and train pilots only to have them leave because they can't make it work.

So we are in agreement. Unless you are:
-Debt-free
-Single
-Child or dependent-free
And
-In a position that allows you to move to base and live with multiple people

Then maybe Mesa isn't your best option.