Currently, having recently upgraded at a major west coast regional with a convenient base location, my goal is to join one of the big 6 airlines, ideally Alaska or Southwest. Although I previously interviewed at Southwest and was turned down, I reapplied during the recent window, but they won't be hiring for a few months. Now, I'm debating whether to stay, accruing turbine PIC hours, or jump to F9 to avoid the metering. The downside of joining F9 would involve potential commuting and all-day trips, impacting my quality of life. While F9 has bases out west, uncertainties about future developments make it a consideration. On the positive side, joining F9 would mean leaving the regional for a major with accompanying benefits. However, the trade-off is dealing with commuting instead of waiting it out to gain valuable time as a captain, anticipating a call from one of the big 6. Despite my current reasonable quality of life, bidding for reserve grants most desired days off and some weekends. Would it be short sighted to not try at a ulcc just to gain turbine pic if that requirement does ever come back? I am fortunate to have 38 years left in this carrier as it stands now so time is not too much of a concer but I don't want to waste it.