In the long run, that may be the best option. Being a pilot in this segment of the aviation industry does not appear to be a lucrative long term option.

For every Legacy airline job available once retirements pick up, there will be ten or more regional pilots competing for it.

If Americans are too poor to be able to afford to pay what it takes to operate a 50-seat jet into their backwater town, pilots should not be expected to subsidize their lifestyle. As a result, fewer pilots will be needed.

Scope limitations at the legacy carriers will continue to strangle regional carriers' abilities to operate cost-effective equipment. Turboprops are likely the most viable solution for regional airlines as the global economy recovers and the price of oil climbs. Even that may not be enough if the U.S. government builds enough resolve to seriously invest in high speed rail transportation, as they are slowly starting to do.

How many times should pilots be expected to pay to practice their profession?

Half the seniority list at Comair already earns less than what a cab driver in New York City does...a person who barely speaks English, hasn't taken a shower in a week, and has skills no greater than 99% of the rest of the U.S. adult population. I use that as a benchmark because recently 35% of Comair's pilot group was based at JFK. Seems valid, especially considering the tarnished "brass ring" of the Legacy airline job is unlikely to be reached by the overwhelming majority of regional pilots.

There's something fundamentally flawed with the regional airline business model. Perhaps the wisest course of action would be to suspend participation in the game.

Just some thoughts to consider.