Problem with your reasoning is, if you're right, it won't have mattered if a person went to an AA Wholly Owned. But if you're wrong, and someone went to SkyWest or RAH, by the time they realize that some random airline pilot wasn't the industry expert he thought he was, it will be too late and they will have done lasting damage to their careers.

Seems to me, choosing envoy or Piedmont has all of the upside without the risk. Even in the absolute worst case scenario, that pilot would be in no worst position then he would if he went to a regional without a (true) flow.