I enlisted in the army when I was 19. My visions of military service and expectations were probably typical for most 19 year olds. Needless to say that after a while you learn that some of what you thought turned out to be true and some things not. You gain new knowledge with time. You mature, learn more, get broader perspectives, maybe change your mind on some things.

The same is true with flying. Most guys get into it with certain pre-conceptions, some of which turns out to be true and some not. There's a broad spectrum of preconceptions, but I think that 95% of pilots who have advanced far enough to be employable by the airlines know that their chances of getting to the majors is slim now-a-days. Ten years ago I'd say that maybe half of the pilots at regionals had expectations of going on to legacy carriers. So, in my personal experiences of having to start over as a new hire at different regionals, I'd say that there is a lot less expectation (or the feeling of "entitlement") then there used to be.

But, even so, I think that regardless of what a person's expections or reasons are for becoming an airline pilot, that person should be able to evolve and change miss-guided preconceptions. Maybe you're 22, single and just want to fly, so you don't give much consideration to pay, etc. I'll bet when that same person is a few years older, has worked a grueling schedule for a while, has a wife and kids to feed, then that person's realities change. I don't think it's fair to condemn that person's changing perspective anymore than it is to condemn the change of perspective of a raw recruit vs a seasoned combat veteran. It's natural.

All that said, I see absolutely NO reason why pilots at sub-par airlines should be sniped at for wanting to improve their situation. This talk of "You knew what you were getting into", is ridiculous. Ja, most had a fairly good idea of what they were getting into (or they should be reading APC), but the world keeps turning and people change and their needs change.

As for myself, I never had expectations or felt "entitled" to go on to the majors. I also didn't become an airline pilot for the fun of it. I did it because I had some opportunities that I made the most of, I was good at it, and I needed a job. Like many at the regionals I was pretty happy with my job for a few years. I had modest expectations that were mostly met for most of the time. I worked hard to make my airline a better place to work. I was active in my union. I rarely did any sort of whining on pilot websites.

I don't need some statistical oddity telling me to pull myself by the boot straps or shut up and be happy with serf wages.