Serious question here...why is it a big deal to upgrade? It seems like FOs are being hired that go out of their way to volunteer with WAI, OBAP, ALPA etc and those who expand their horizons by doing sim instruction and safety department work. If upgrading and TPIC were the magic keycards so sought after than every captain would be picked up, especially the seasoned regional CAs. Not saying that upgrading is not important, but it's only a piece of a gigantic puzzle that makes one competitive for a legacy and once all an applicant's cards align, upgrading might score enough points on one's application to warrant an interview. People are chasing the upgrade and still not getting an interview. Best just to have a mindset of signing up to fly, and if one makes it to a legacy one day, good for them.... It won't happen for everyone, and so don't expect too much is the best strategy for career happiness....