To answer a previous comment, here's what I feel an accurate view of what the industry should be. Before you enter the profession, you should expect to work long hours and spent quite a few nights away from home. You should expect to make far less money than you deserve. You should expect to work with people who rarely seem happy. That's more or less life at regional carriers these days.

If you go in knowing how it is, at least you're likely not to be surprised to the downside. Of course if you make the experience work, then there's a chance for better things at larger carriers. Given today's world, that may not be so anymore, but at least you know the lay of the land.