Originally Posted by directbears
How'd ya guess? LOL
Hired in 99 left in 05....still an FO with no hope for upgrade. Really fun being basically an IOE instructor to the Flushbacks yet still in the right seat and getting paid crap. Another reason I said adios.
Yeah, I have some friends there and they are optimistic they will upgrade in 4-5 years. Ah well.
Anyway, I sincerely think your outlook on life would be totally different had you left in 2003 for Skywest, XJET, Chautauqua, heck even Mesa because you'd be a CA right now and might possibly have a shot at a Major. You timed it badly, and I feel your frustration, however I don't think you should be trying to convince people to get out of aviation just because you missed one of the largest hiring phases at the regionals.
I myself am at a stagnent regional and most likely will get out and go do something else (maybe freight or frac) if I haven't upgraded in 3 years. Even so, our 2nd and 3rd year FO's make in the $40's so life could be worse.