QOL is all about what is quality FOR YOU. Some want big money, others want the minimum time away from home, some want long overnights to "see the world". Commuting is the biggest factor to me- the QOL hit to catch an extra flight an either end of a trip is a major PITA. If you are single it may not matter, if you are young you may get a crashpad and go out with fellow pilots the night before/after a trip, if you have a wife/kids/dog/family/mistress/etc at home you may want to look at which carriers either could base you at home, or give you the best options from home. You need to evaluate the contracts in the area of when they are amendable. A carrier that just signed a new contract may have the best rules/pay, but its apples and oranges to a carrier in negotiations because the new contract could change the comparison. Growth/movement could be a consideration- while there is minimal movement at the moment reserve life and the top end are important. At places such as American Eagle the top end is many years senior to many other carriers, that will start to matter when the industry reverses itself because at many places the folks on the top will not be leaving regardless of the industry. Talk to friends that are pilots at various regionals. There will be hundreds of opinions on here but what I am interested in and enjoy may be totally different than you. Pilots are a solid group but the personalities within the group are different from place to place. If your friends are somewhere and like it, chances are you will too. I happen to work somewhere that has the lowest pay, worst rules (we are in negotiations) but have amazing QOL since I am home 18+ days a month and never miss any of my family's or my wife's family events since my base is where I grew up and my wife/my family lives. Pay, bases, and days off are typically where people look in the "QOL" department but there is much more to it because each person is looking for something different.