Regional or keep plodding along...
 

I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.

So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).

You'll be able to quickly build valuable time on the regional side as compared to part 91. Depending on where you go, upgrade could also be quick, leading to that coveted turbine PIC time. This would also make you more marketable on the 91 side should you decide that's what you'd rather be doing. It seems that most 121 LCC's also want to see 121 time.

Piedmont and Endeavor both have starting salaries of around 58k and quick upgrades (not sure if your time spent as a part 91 FO would count), as well as a career path with their major airline partners. If you live in any of those 2 company's bases i'd say its a good move because at 2100TT, mostly as an FO, and 0 121, i'd say a respectable major is a ways away.

I'd make the move to a regional. Endeavor, Piedmont, CommutAir...
What do you stand to gain by staying at your current employer contrasted by if you went to a regional?
I just made that same decision and left a $60,000/yr difference on the table.

I appreciate the replies. True I don't stand to gain anything by sticking around where I'm at. Are the upgrade hire dates fairly accurate on the airline profiles? I'm in the Chicago area but wouldn't have a problem moving as I'd rather not waste my time commuting (and potential cheaper cost of living).

Envoy has a Chicago base... as do:

Expressjet
TSA
Gojet
Republic
Skywest.

My situation is identical to yours. I'm done with the 135 racket. It's time to move on to the airlines. With few exceptions, 135 has little upside potential.

Yeah I've been doing a little research on domiciles that are local but I'd rather find a place that I'd be semi-happy at rather than applying just to be local.

If you like where you live the two will go hand in hand.

Cool. That's what I wanted to hear.