i think you forget how poor the regional airlines are in terms of lifestyle and outlook. yes, first year pay sucks at the majors, but who's fault is that, mangements' or the unions' for allowing it to happen.
why are the regionals so poorly paid for FO's? because they can, CFI's want out of poverty level wages, therefore the regionals can get away with it. it all starts at the bottom and doesn't end until second year FO at the majors at the very soonest in some books, longer in others. it's a whole other discussion probably meant for another thread but not here.