Definently right about starting at the bottom. The regional airlines always paid low salaries, especially starting out. It's nothing new. Technically speaking the regionals today are paying more than in the past because jets come with higher salaries that turboprops. The real issue with the regional industry is the treatment/QOL, and about the lessening of the regionals being "only a stepping stone". On top of that are the issues of instability, what with the majors playing "musical regionals", getting underbid by startups or ******-@$$ outfits like Mesa, etc.

Speaking of that, on average what percentage of regional pilots eventually make it to a major carrier (legacy, cargo, LCC, etc.) I know it's all about connections, but whats the raw percentage?