In the past that was OK because while regionals sometimes liquidated it was fairly rare.

In this climate there is so much uncertainty about the future of the regional industry, to say nothing of specific regionals, that lifers risk getting the carpet pulled out from under them at a critical time as they save for retirement. MANY senior regional CA's are going to majors right now not because they *want* to, but because they're scared for their future.

Spirit will probably not exist by the time you get there, but Jetblue will. Any second-tier major should be a great gig for 10-15 years, especially if you can live in base.