My last paid day with my former regional was August 2008, and by Oct 2008, I had two contracts for overseas flying; I just waited on which ever had the earliest start date so that I could get paid.

Didn't start a class until Jan 2009, and arrived in Africa in Feb 2009. With a month off every two months, the actual total hours of flying are significantly lower than US regional flying. Fortunately, with 4000 hours, I don't need to do time building.

Also, the pay is significantly higher than any US regional pays. The actual flying can have different challenges, as reported earlier in the thread (unreliable Nav Aids, pot holed runways, non-radar, non-standard procedures, bribery is SOP to get things done). I'm fortunate in that maintenance is first rate, and all the equipment is new. But, where I'm at, there's no ice, no snow, tornadoes, sleet, hail, etc. Just huge CB/TS to dodge, and seasonal dust storms.

Detractions are the 56 days away from home at a time, third world enviroment (but no crash pads!), it's much hotter than I prefer (and rains a lot), no US jump seating, long commute to work (but a paid, confirmed seat), etc.