Im in the bottom 15% of the seniority list, and I thoroughly enjoy my hispeed line, and I'm a commuter too (a 50 minute commute though). The fact that I have a hispeed line with Thurs-Sat off every week even though I'm in the bottom 15% is reason enough to say 9E isn't that horrible in terms of schedule...it's still the pay that's the issue, but progress is being made and if progress ever stops on that front, we've gotta 99% vote and a new Pres on the way.

Bottom line is this--I had a hispeed line at 9E within 3 months of finishing training, whereas if I had gone to numerous other places I would've probably done a min of 6-8 months of reserve, and possibly longer given the current slowdown at most places. One could argue that a hispeed line at 9E (out of Memphis, maybe not DTW) offers a better QOL to endless reserve at a company with "better work rules and pay." I sleep in my own bed 15-16 nights a month, work 60 hours, and get paid for 75. I have enough days off to substitute teach at $70/day 3 blocks from my house. So my net pay, QOL, and overall life isn't too bad, and I think it will only get better(i.e. either a new contract with much better pay and rules, or laid off and going back to flight instructing, which I miss anyways).

PS> Being single and having no kids or obligations helps...everyone knows getting married and having kids makes things tougher...but no one said you had to be a regional pilot or that you had to have a wife and kids. Those are choices that affect your QOL that you have control over.