Carl,

Money wise, it made more sense for me to remain at a regional than go to NWA when you were hiring. Part of the equation was the move & loss of a second income.

I'm older than 80kts clamp and was more senior than him. Classmates at my former regional still out earn me on the new DAL scale. (I break even when the 401 match is considered) They hold weekday flying at their favorite layovers while I'm the reserve plug in category who starts studying for a displacement with every AE.

Even if QOL is ignored, on pure money terms many pilots have to make the jump before age 37 to 40 to make the loss of longevity work out. For those trapped in holding by the (9/11, outsourcing, age 65) stagnation, it may simply not make sense on any level.

For me, only SWA, FedEx, DAL made sense. SWA never called, FedEx never drained the pool and DAL was in town. Otherwise, I'd have been a "lifer." There are worse fates than being a youngish senior Captain with very young, pretty, flight attendants, a six figure income and a new jet that would hold its own in a race to 410 with a 757.