How about not jumping to the lowest paying, bottom-feeder, no-union scab airline that will hire you first?

I think if pilots had a bit more dignity and waited until they could be hired by a respectable top-tier regional then it would force the bottom end of the airline spectrum to strighten up.

Don't be in such a hurry to become a "real airline pilot."

Don't count on the quick upgrade either. I think it's obvious now that you can be stuck somewhere for quite a while. Do your homework and find out where you really want to be.