There isn't anything wrong with wanting a quick upgrade, I think most people would just warn anybody against expecting it. We all make the most informed decisions we can, but this business is so unpredictable that many people are left thinking "this isn't what I signed up for!!!"

As long as you honestly acknowledge to yourself that no matter how well-informed your decision was, you could be left as a 6 year FO at a shrinking company or a reserve CA indefinitely, that way you'll roll with the punches better.

There is a huge sense of entitlement amongst regional guys, many of it fed by the flight schools, from ATP to ERAU (because your excitement is how they make their money) and also from the recruiters and interviewers that tell you how great the company's prospects are. All of us should know by now that nothing is guaranteed.