First, some background info...I've had 3 other "flying jobs", lost my last at a corp. due to a lease back of the a/c. Took a job at PNCL b/c no commute. I think your philosophy of moving from sucky job to still sucky job with ketchup is extremely defeatist and a terrible way to make a decision. How about moving from sucky job to ok job to great job. The uninformed pilot who thinks he has it figured out and thinks "all these other pilots just gripe and complain" is common with little/no experience in "Livin' the dream" at Pinnacle. It is tough here for those who aren't senior FO's. I too had the 17 days off living in base with no money but lots of time and opportunity to make more money. I skipped several upgrade vacancies. Once I upgraded, life got harder. If you've been here around 3 years and upgrade, you too will understand. For some it's no big deal...no kids/family/responsibility except self. I did what I did and it worked for me. Understand it's tough... Don't just go for the less sucky job. If you want to live in base (MEM, MSP, DTW) and Mesaba isn't an option, come on in...the water's fine. I would listen to the girth of those who tell you it's bad here. Show some humility and take advice from both sides of the aisles and couple that with hard facts (contracts, profits, etc...). Don't talk yourself into something and tell those with more experience than you that they don't know how good they have it because they don't have experience at a real hard job. It shouts of arrogance and smells of uninformed opinions.