When I first earned my private in 1996 the typical route to the airlines was something like... be a CFI while you try to find something, anything multi or multi-turbine to fly, even for free, to build time to get to a regional. From there you flew a Saab or EMB for a regional and didn't get paid dick. BUT.... that's okay. Upgrade was pretty short, and for the most part, most of the guys I started with in 1996 are now with Southwest, Jetblue, or one of the fractionals making 40k-60k as FO's. In another 5-10 they will probably be 80-100K captains.

Like anything, you gotta start at the bottom. NOW.. .the problem lies not with the pay but with the no upgrade in sight problem. Most people I know flying for SW etc... also started at 18K, be it with a regional or flying a barron single pilot IFR in Michigan. However, within a few years they were able to overcome it and move on. The problem today is, I don't mind making 25K a year as a 2-3 year FO at a regional but as it stands now, the regionals are not as much as a "stepping stone" as they used to be. Why?? Because there is no choice. I don't believe the regional airlines were intended to be career airlines.

As furloughed OH, I think I have to get out. I think it's time to find something else. Even if they recalled, My kids will be ready for college about the time I would be eligable for upgrade and... I just can't provide for them at that point in their lives on 30K fo pay.

I guess what I am trying to say is....the regional pay scales are okay I guess if the system worked like it was supposed to. 2-3 years FO, 2-5 as captain followed by being picked up by a major or fractional. It's just not that way anymore.