Many have said it before....SENIORITY is EVERYTHING in the airline world!
I bailed just after 9/11. Many furloughees from the legacies were coming back on active duty. My squadron buds thought that I was crazy for leaving. I took a chance and now I'm in the left seat at a legacy. Everyone who've bailed with me are ALL very successful airline dudes. No guts, no glory. If you keep plugging away, you will eventually get on with a legacy/major/FedEx! The pilot job market may never be like this again. Keep the faith and happy hunting!