Yeah - I've done the 135 with overnights in Vail, Aspen, Sun Valley with hundreds of thousands of Marriott points - big deal. SkyWest is a reputable place to work in the minor leagues, but why leave Eagle or XJet to be at the bottom of the list knowing the -200's are being replaced at 2:1 (at best) with a 3,400+ pilot group...

I don't chase the upgrade - I've saved enough outside the cockpit to be choosy where I go and have enough balls to stand up for a profession that I've wanted to do since before I was kicking a soccer ball....like majority of other on this forum.

But in the end, we don't go to regionals to swing gear and collect McDonald wages....unless your other half puts the bread on the table.

So what's your point then? You ask why some of us work at places like SkyWest... I told you - I enjoy my QOL and living in base in a place like DEN. I'm not making much, but it's more the McD's. More importantly, I enjoy my life and have fun outside of work. Let's not go down the path of comparing previous W2s, I doubt you'd win.

Would I leave ExpressJet to come here? No way. Would I leave a dumpy 135 or 91 job to come here? Well, I think it was a good move in early 2011 when hiring was in full swing. Would I do it now? I don't know. But I don't regret coming here when I did.

But hey, if you want to head over to Commutair and live in some crappy mid-west base, knock yourself out. It's probably a fantastic decision. But it sure wouldn't be the right decision for somebody like me. I'd be outta aviation and back in engineering before living that life.

And those in the industry right now that say "don't chase the upgrade" - are those who will be flying with their right hand for an extended amount of time.

But QOL is always the answer right? Would you not sacrifice 3-5 years of your life with a $@*% QOL to have the ability to start a 401k with a company that you'll be there for 30 years?

Compare W2's? That's strong. I flew a Dash 8 over in the sandbox for 160k a year - planted my feet back state side when we found out we had a little one on the way.

I'm not trying to say you made a bad choice going to SKW by any means...and you validated what my confusion is: why are people bailing right now from XJet, Eagle and other bottom line regionals to get on the slowing train....why not just ride it out and build your time while it last over the next 2 years. DAL, UAL, AAL will all be have 700+ retirements a year (each) starting soon...

At one point, I was facing whether to go to Costco (as a cashier) or a Regional. I picked Costco, but thankfully, I got an interview at a freight company.

I have to agree. With seniority being the controlling factor at the majors I would do whatever it takes to get the PIC. I understand you can get hired without the PIC but it is few and far between. If you can suck it up for a few years to get to where you will spend the rest of your career *hopefully* I would do it. That is the route I went...

Wow, well I sure as heck never made $160k. But I sure wouldn't go to a regional if you have kind of potential or what I presume is a lot of experience. Why go to a regional at all in your shoes? I'd be all over a Legacy, or Spirit/jetBlue/VA, etc.

There were a lot of folks hired 2004-2007...after that, not so many. Upgrade times should drop significantly IF (and only if) they can maintain the current fleet size.

I have my goods in with them, but being a "low-time" guy - I'm just another 1 in 10,000...so being debt free and a passion to fly - ill be choosy and can afford to choose the place with a smaller pilot group, a decent contract and a decent pilot group...and in turn, faster movement.

For the record, OO pilots will always be welcome in my jump seat.

For the sake of those that have been on the roller coaster over the years - I hope it's the start of the downhill.