Worked in the commercial field prior to joining the military. Father was a NWA>DAL guy, two time furlough veteran. First year pay at a legacy is a short burden to bear, and with proper planning is manageable once off probation and second year pay starts, thus it's an accepted risk. Granted most guys applying or going to a major are financially in a position to prepare, as it's most likely not their first major flying gig. All the guys I know that have made the move to the majors did it with some thoughtful planning before hand to endure that first year. Regional pay scales, totally different story. Back in the day I was looking at 3rd and 4th year pay still under $30K/year. I knew it was unsustainable, plus I wanted to serve. The only thing that's really changed was the depression of legacy pay, however it very livable after the first year or two and hopefully will be restored at some point in the future. Regionals just don't/can't generate the cash per flight to justify the pay required to live the way you need to in order to avoid commuting/rest rule violations unless you want to share an apartment in domicile with 3-5 other FO's. Great if you're 22 and just out of college, not an option for anyone with a family. 3807 is a perfect example. FO was living with her parents on food stamp wages. She's only one...

Post 9/11, and even in the pre economic collapse, that "short burden to bear" got extended for many. There was a time when going to a regional was an accepted risk, as you wouldn't be there long. That's not the case.

Agree, many "regional" pilots do the same. But I'm sorry, doesn't matter if it was pre 9/11 or the most recent hiring wave, there were legacy pilots as well as "regional" pilots living the EXACT SAME lifestyle. Like I said, you can't pigeon hole just one segment for accepting crappy wages. The problem is bigger, much bigger than that.

Not sure how far back you mean when you say "back in the day". Both "regionals" I've worked at, my income was far more than that at year 2. And I'm all about time off. I can't remember the last time I picked up ANY open time as an FO.

And I respect that. But this wasn't a mil vs. civ discussion. NOBODY holds a gun to anybody's head to decide their career path for them.

Everything is relative. Look at some of the legacy rates. Even with proper financial planning, it takes a while to get to what some consider livable. Especially when families and mortgages get tossed in.

Incorrect, the "free market", outsourcing, and scope giveaways have constructed the business models that the "regionals" operate on. You can't blame the "regional", nor the "regional" pilots.

As we all know, there is so much more to that story. The ONLY reason that the legacies haven't had a similar accident happen is because of luck, PERIOD. Don't think I need to go on a list of legacy incidents where the pilots and passengers are alive simply because of luck, NOT because they're paid so much so better rested compared to the "regional" pilots. Although it's funny to try to watch people try to justify it.