Look at it this way.

Sign-on bonus: Mesa is currently offering $30k for CRJ pilots. Skywest is offering $7500.

Pay: Mesa FO starting pay - $36/hr, Skywest - $45

DFW based: Mesa, you can hold it after training. Skywest, no idea.

Upgrade: Mesa, upgrade after 1000 SIC, and probably still be DFW based. Skywest, I think the same, but will have to move to a junior base after upgrade.

Class dates: Mesa can get you in class in a couple weeks. Skywest in late October. You’ll be almost finished training with Mesa by the time the Skywest class starts.

Flying: You’ll fly a lot with Mesa. Short reserve in DFW (if any) after training. Skywest I have no idea.

Skywest has the largest fleet, largest pilot group, most bases, decent pay, good QOL as far as I know, and has contracts with 4 legacies. But no pilot union.

Mesa has low pay (but lots of flying, some at 200-300%), 145 aircraft, about 1370 pilots, 5 bases, decent QOL and contracts with 2 legacies. ALPA pilot group.

Get all the facts, and don’t believe everything bad you hear coming from pilots who don’t work at the regional they’re bashing.