I fear that in my haste to relate as much of my info in as concise as possible a format....I may have inadvertantly given the wrong impression.

Allow me to clarify:
I'd love to work for a good regional. My current favorite is Alaska Airlines. SWA is, of course, another Dream Job; but as with my Delta fantasy....I liken it to winning the lottary. This is why one of the Typre-ratings I was asking about is the Q-400 (Colgan/Masaba/Horizon).

I've got no ego to stroke. I'll be as content sitting right-seat in a heavy turbo-prop as I would be in a jet.

In fact, if given my preference between flying in a coat and tie for Delta or in sweaty cargo shorts for AirServe....I'd take the latter. But my wife has this funny thing about wanting me state-side. She doesnt mind if I travel (all of my jobs have required extensive travel) but she would like to see me for a few days out of the month....enough for me to mow and take out the trash, etc.

As for my opinion of being an instructor.... every career I've developed, I've pursued to "Instructor" level. I truely LOVE teaching people. The challenge of finding that mysterious and very individual approach to getting each student to absorbe the lesson is exciting. As for being a CFI...meeting that challenge while successfully keeping your student from killing you has its own unique appeal. My dilima is whether or not teaching someone "Pitch for airspeed, power for altitude" in a 1300 pound Tomahawk is as relevant to a 100,000 regional airliner or if a crisp, new (unused) type-rating in an aircraft deployed by the interviewing agency would be more helpful.

I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful relationship with a loving, caring and encouraging wife....who also happens to be a successful psychologist. So MY earnings are somewhat....trivial. This allows me the relative luxury of not having to chase the paycheck.

Yeah, the monster checks associated with legacy majors wouldnt hurt my feelings. But 2,3,5,7 years at a Regional SIC pay-grade wont kill me.

The question that begs to be asked is: "Why do I want to go to the airlines?" The answer is simple. I am at an age where its time to take effective steps towards securing retirement benefits. Despite my best efforts, I am not getting any younger. And I want to get started on my final career while I am still "young" enough to do it right.

Now....you know more about my motivations and philosophy. Sorry for the earlier confusion.