Well as ex-AE, I can say that AE is a great place to be ...... FROM. I would suppose that reduced upgrade equals 9 to 10 years.

If you really like to fly with grumpy old farts that are bitter 'cause they didn't get hired at United in the 80s, then AE ORD is the place for you.

<Disclaimer: Only about 40% of the guys I flew with were grumpy old farts /Disclaimer>

The TWA and Flow-back guys were awesome to fly with and offered up a lot of experience.

FWIW, you are probably better off. Soon you will get an opportunity to go elsewhere.