Regionals which are worth considering right now would be Eagle, Skywest, Compass, and Expressjet. Avoid all others.

All those listed above offer pros and cons but those are your best bet. From there the decision would narrow to which one allows you to live in base or offers the shortest commute.

I am in a similar situation, 7 year FO at Comair, that took the last buyout so I have not flown in almost 2 years now. Teaching high school math now. Like all jobs some days are better than others. The kids today are a disaster, I do miss my quite mornings in the airplane reading my ops manual versus dealing with 10th graders. I live in IND so if I went back it would be to the fine outfit based here. I think I am going to give teaching one more year and if I still miss flying will go back the following year. I miss flying but I don't miss all the crap we had to put up with on a daily basis.
To my fellow Comair alum not sure what advice to give you, you know more about this industry than most I would think. In my mind I have given highest priority to quality of life, commuting etc. I am sure you spent plenty of time trying to commute to that carp hole called JFK. With all the time we would have maybe a move to JB or Spirit would be possible quickly, if no legacy, so it would not be another 7 years at a regional with not much to show for it. Just my two cents from someone that is in a similar position.

+1 i agree 100 percent

Well I was able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and scored an interview at regional carrier to be named later! Emailed a recruiter I talked to back in the fall. Guess I coming out of retirement. Chose QOL this go round.

Thanks for the insights.

GoNutz, sucks