Top 5
I will bite.

1. Horizon
2. ExpressJet
3. Skywest
4/5. TIE Republic and Air Wisconsin

Horizon is by far the best. The highest first year pay around. Actually the highest pay around period. They have the best contract in the regionals, and it is the ONLY regional I would ever consider being a lifer at.

ExpressJet has set the bar high for 50 seat jet pay. Good contract. Lots of movement recently.

Skywest has decent pay and good work rules. Quick upgrade. Most everyone seems to be happy there.

Air Wisconsin and Republic are both good places. Air Wisconsin doesn't have any growth, however upgrade time is still relatively low. They will not be losing any flying for a while. Maybe they will pick up some more flying.
Republic is lucky in that they are diversified amongst the carriers they operate for (United, Delta, Continental, US Air). They have a fairly good contract. 2nd year FO pay is a joke.


Places to stay away from (in order of worst to slightly less bad)
1. GoJet
2. Mesa
3. Trans States
4. Lynx
5. Great Lakes

GoJet is by far the worst. They are an alter-ego carrier (the next level right below scabs). They fly 70 seat jets for less than 50 seat pay. All GoJet's pilots are hated (especially by those at Trans States). If you go there, you are making a huge mistake.

Mesa pilots had a sh*tty contract shoved down their throats last time around because they were busy protecting their jobs. For the equipment they fly, pay is industry worst. Work rules are indsutry worst (can you say 8 days off). Contract is industry worst. Lots of turnover (over 700 Mesa pilots have quit so far this year. This is approximately 1/2 of their pilot workforce). Upgrade is amongst the longest in the regionals. Don't go there. Mesa is a sinking ship.

Trans States pilots got screwed by management with the creation of GoJet. Pay is bad (look at 2nd year FO pay). Contract is bad. Most pilots do not like it there.

Lynx. $43.75 an hour for a captain on a 74 seat aircraft. Enough said.

Great Lakes. They fly the hell out of you. You make the worst pay rate in the industry ($15/hr starting pay), although they do fly small airplanes. Not necessarily a bad company, but there are many better opportunities.