When i left the airlines the biggest benefit i saw were the travel benies. My wife and I were able to go to Paris, riding in first class for about 600 bucks roundtrip for both of us, would have been 300 bucks had we traveled in Coach. Since i've been out, my friends have mentioned that that travel benefits have been significantly reduced even with our codeshares, so even though we fly for United Express, we don't get "buddy passes" for our spouses anymore, at least nothing that's "discounted" and US Airways makes you pay a fee in advance for the "oppurtunity" to list as standby...kind of a joke if you ask me.

So, in all honesty i don't know what the big pay off is for flying for a regional. Probably building flight time and experience for some better job, whether that be a major airline, fractional gig, corporate job, etc....Having some jet experience under your belt will help you do something in the future, especially if it involves flying...Same can be true for about every other piece of flight experience as well though.