I spent 9 years at Continental Express and 2.5 years at Continental.
IT IS BETTER! I make more already as an FO than I did as a 9 year CA(actually, I'm doubling my pay this month in Captain training!). The planes are better, the destinations are better. I flew to Milan, Rome, and Barcelona last month (and had two weeks off straight). I have type ratings in the 737, 757, & 767. I would rather be number last at a major than number one at a regional. Go for the major.