I'm not planning on being a lifer, that would be plan B. But I also assume there is a high risk of being in that guys shoes someday if I do hang out in the regionals long enough, so I also have a plan C.

If you're a regional lifer (by design or accident), you need to accept certain realities. Most importantly that you do NOT have guaranteed six+ figure lifetime employment, seniority, and QOL. You can always get another regional job if you want it, but there are likely to be one or more "resets" along the way where you lose all pay, seniority, and QOL. That's the whole reason the regional system exists. Given that fact you need to have an alternate career plan or accept the regional biz the way it is.

I was annoyed that the dude came onto OUR thread to whine about about how "we" are mistreating him. If he kept it in the XJT thread he can whine about SKW all he wants and he won't be bothered.