Sounds like you have a pretty good gig up in our Artic State....

DONT go to Mesaba only to fly a jet.... or any type for that matter.... things like that tend to end badly

Comment 1) "guys with 121 and upwards of 1000 hours".... are not what I would call VERY experienced....

Comment 2) you arent old enough to apply at compass or pinchnickle yet you would go fly for "Blackwater" if the money was the motiviation... and what... at your young age you have the military time, black ops background, and clearances those bubba's are generally looking for..... hum....

Good luck in what ever you do decide.... its a mess out there right now.