Can you go to K-ville or Meridien, (or even P-cola for the NFOs) for 2-3 years? Much better option than dealing with the regionals.

I got out in 03 when no body was hiring except JB and did 18 months at what was then the highest paying regional (CMR). The pay was still less than half what I was making on AD. I thought I was prepared for the pay hit, But the take home was still way less than I had expected. If it hadn't been for the big gray boat on the horizon, I would have stayed in.

If you are set on getting out, try to find a Guard/ Reserve job and max that out. You can get health insurance now thru tri care, so there is less reason to put up with the Regional QOL, which as a first year new hire on reserve nonexistant.