Yes, some places will front load the delays, and risk not getting pilots to even show up for class, because some other places back load the delays and get you on the hook before stringing you along. Either strategy it sounds like there’s some degree of waiting everywhere. All the regional companies rent the same sims with few exceptions. Every company in the industry either massively scaled down or completely stopped their training departments. All regionals are hemorrhaging pilots right now, and if they aren’t losing experienced crew, then growth prospects are suspect.

At the end of the day it’s on each individual pilot to make the best decision personally. Everyone has individual preferences and needs so it’s not that useful to take blind advice when what each pilot should do is figure what they want out of a particular career phase. If I was sitting in Mr. Incredible’s seat, I’d have a different outlook. After all, my goal is to fly the paint off a jet and get out of regional hell as soon as possible. Some pilots don’t mind sitting at a regional for several years because they believe the ‘flow’ is worth it. I think a ‘flow’ is a double-edged sword personally, so it’s not a factor in my decision-making. Some want decent quality of life and are willing to spend more time at a ‘better regional’ to get it. I’m willing to sacrifice a little QOL for a couple years while I’m still young, in order to start working on seniority at my destination airline sooner.

I’m not sitting in on the United board meetings, so I can’t tell you what they think about anything. I know they keep giving GoJet more flying than we can staff, and GoJet keeps converting 700s to 550s at a rate of full steam ahead. While the company is on target in terms of adding 2 jets per month to the Ops Specs, getting the pilots on line to fly is not so smooth. Given the resurgent pilot shortage, maybe big daddy United will have the patience to wait for GoJet to deliver on its promise. Or Maybe they’ll start throwing money at the problem like American has with PSA and their ‘187,000’ in bonuses (read the fine print my friends). Or maybe United will cut its losses and find some other high performing regional outfit to fly its 550s(haha). I’m willing to wager that not even United has that figured out yet.

At the end of the day you’re reading the perspectives and opinions of a bunch of strangers on the internet. Take all the information and try to make a good decision for yourself. I wish you all the best of luck and I hope my input is of some use to others.