Historically, AWAC, Skywest, horizon, COMAIR, and even ASA (probably a couple smaller ones too) could have been considered career destinations; some folks even like to pretend they still are.

The fundamental problem with most regionals is that they don't sell their own tickets, and only "lease" their market share from a major partner. You are likely to suffer these effects during a regional career:

Major moves your company to a new city (on the opposite coast).

Major fires your company (layoffs, downgrades)

When you get really senior and comfy (and paid a vaguely livable wage) you company will immediately find itself too "mature" to compete against younger regionals for the flying contracts. You will have to give huge concessions (putting your family back on foodstamps AGAIN) and endure more layoffs and downgrades, possibly in Ch.11.

Some of these bad things can happen at a major too, but at least you can see it coming, have more control of your own destiny, and are less likely to get geographically displaced.

SKW has somehow avoided most of these hassles so far. I'm not sure how, but maybe because they are pretty entrenched in their neck of the woods. Horizon has done OK, BUT they are owned by AK, and we all know what their current game plan is...