Look, NJ and FLex are still the "majors" of the 135 world and most other positions you are staying at until either 1. You get hired by Flex or NJ 2. You find a Unicorn job that for whatever reason fits your QOL (assuming you are talking about making a career at a 135-ish job vs. going to the airlines). Most other operators will be far behind in either pay or QOL (you can make the same pay but you need to work 20+ days a month). The current "Dont come to NJ" speak is the same speak you are hearing about Southwest and heard about UAL, AA, DAL during contract negotiations. Any Major is better than the regionals (even if your only option was "insert name of company having contract negotiations"). NJ and Flex are better the best of the 135 operators. NJ does have a pretty poor contract right now compared to others however, there is no doubt that once a new contract is negotiated (could be as far away as a few years from now), it will be a very good contract. Regardless, NJ or Flex are still the best places to be for the long term.