You have to decide what you want. Do you want top end equipment at retirement to possibly be a 90 seater or do you want to eventually go international. I have flown at both a regional and a major and there is NO comparison. QOL even junior is light years ahead of a major.

The larger question is what the future is for the regionals. Oil above $50/barrel makes it uneconomical to operate the 50 seat RJs. Oil above $90 or $100/barrel makes it highly probable that many 50 seaters will get parked. Furloughs will most likely occur and those that aren't will most likely face paycuts in order to maintain the viability of their operations. The majors have restructured and are better equipped to ride out the economic impact of high oil, etc. Even so, mergers are probable. The regionals may also face a new round of M & A activity as larger economies of scale will be necessary to maintain competitiveness.

I would rather be at a major with a large international operation as larger aircraft flying high yield passengers will better be able to ride out the high cost environment.