Well, this is pretty much gold. Thanks to all, again!
Thanks Hacker, that confirms a lot of assumptions based on my homework - just better organized and well put. Of course, that opens a few more questions.
I've been a hard lean to the mindset of: this is temporary (actual time required TBD) and domicile has to be at the top of the list. Upgrade time definitely a consideration, I need the PIC time as well. Those lead me to a regional with northwestern bases. I'll be living in southern Oregon and a commute to the northeast would be crushing. That leads to....Horizon and PenAir first with Horizon in the hunt if I considered only domiciles. Medford 1, Boise/PDX tied at 2, Spokane 3, Seattle 4 and the rest a wash.
The problem is, Horizon and PenAir are turboprop, with Skywest at third due to domiciles. So the questions: is turboprop actually a "problem"? Seems like it would be, but that's pure guess. I haven't seen much on PenAir, but the horizon guys talk of the company as satan; not much different with Skywest.
Thoughts here?