Originally Posted by higney85

If you size up "where do I want to be" in terms of regionals, you should have an end goal in sight. Currently, if it's Delta, you likely want Endeavor. If American, sort through the WO's for your QOL. United? Well, do some research... honestly, I really can't speak to UA. It seems that DL and AA are the ones really playing the regionals because they OWN some. You want UPS or FDX, it now becomes a true reckoning of both your body clock and the credentials they are looking for (PIC, glass, intl, and any FAA certs -mainly check airman, and volunteer work- that you can throw on top). You don't know where you are until you decide where you want to be.

Personally, I had a 3-5 year plan when joining a regional. It was all figured out and lined up. The world "happened", life has "happened" and I'll be at DL in the spring. Was that my plan a decade ago? Nope. Problem? You could say I told God my plan and he laughed, you could say it was the way the world works, you can call it luck of the draw. In the end, I applied to DL in 2008 and interviewed in 2015. Was it by my "street credentials", no, it was the SSP that got me the interview and CJO. 10 years ago movement was quick, shortly thereafter it wasn't; with a recession and age 65.

For someone now joining the ranks you are looking at retirements for movement regardless of the economy. To that end you still must figure out "where do I want to be in 5 years, 10 years, retirement". Your point of "here" is misincule, figure out where you want to be and how to get there. It comes down to more than pay, its QOL, and an end state. For each person, it will be different so get out your pro-con list and do some easy math. This test will require your fingers for scoring. If you want to be at a major, DL is a good one to be at, but you still need to figure out if it's for you. If it is, Endeavor creates a path that no other carrier does. If it makes you feel better, the path is created by cost savings to DL.

Think it through.