you dont have to settle for a lesser known/admired/liked regional to fly a turboprop

Here is a list of regionals that fly tprops that i hear a better percentage of good comments over bad ones

American Eagle
Mesaba
Skywest
HORIZON
Piedmont
ASA

There are probably a few I missed and all are open to personal oppinions and each of the above listed airlines has its problems but IMO none of them are bottom feeders and fall into the categories you listed.

A turboprop is not a sacrifice or a death sentence, its just a different path. Especially with some of the newer turboprops out there we are not thought of as lesser beings because we dont cruise at FL300+