The regionals used to be the stepping stone to the majors and they are as long as the pilot pipeline is moving at full speed. Unfortunately the regionals continue to grow and mainline carriers will continue to shrink and only operate large equipment between major markets. Due to age 65 and the economy a regional pilot might be an FO for 5yrs or more. The day of the fast upgrade is gone and it will return to the way it used to be, long upgrade times. The situation is not going to improve any time soon, I will guarantee you that there will be more furloughs, UPS, FEDEX, DAL, these are the next on the chopping block. They will never take steps to raise the entry requirments, or to raise pay. THE COMPANIES DON'T HAVE TO. Regional carriers do not care if you get paid enough, they never will.