Not exactly true IMO. I would argue that guys who took the flow under a certain set of circumstances, but were not afforded the opportunity to flow up under those circumstances should not have been forced to flow later under much different circumstances.

I know opinions differ on this specific situation, but the point I was making was that flow-through programs have done more harm than good as far as I can see. Not a great track record.

Just don't PSA your situation and you will be fine. Do whatever your mind is telling you.

Also, as for upgrade at your time, upgrade will be more like 3-4 years depending on the regional. Most minimums are 3000-4000 hours. At 600 hours per year average with EVERYONE else in the company trying to do the same, it might take longer than you think. Also, they won't lower the minimums because there are plenty of 5k hour FOs out there willing to jump ship if DECs happen.

As many have stated, wholly-owneds aren't doing much better than anyone else. Read through a little of the Warning about Endeavor to Delta (ETD) thread and you'll get a good idea. Everyone agrees a quick upgrade is a positive thing, the hesitance to chase one comes from the possibility that when you get to a regional, upgrade time might get a lot longer before you upgrade. Research trends, who's getting new airplanes and who isn't, and who has 50-seat jets. 50-seat jets are no longer economical and have become liabilities, not assets. That's why I'd recommend against a carrier like Air Wisconsin, even though they might have a respectable contract.

A while ago, I made a post about my recommendations. It's just my humble opinion - I'm still in training and don't have any actual time on the line, and some called me on that - but I did a lot of homework and spoke to numerous friends in the industry, and this is what I came up with:

Republic had a quick upgrade? That's news to me

Neither is an asset. A quick upgrade is only good as long as there are people behind you to hire. A wholly-owned is only good if the ownership group actually wants to make it not suck.

The biggest thing you can do to make your life slightly less hellish at the regional level:

Live in base. Either move to a base, or get hired at a company that has a base where you are.

I personally went to 2 different regionals chasing the "quick upgrade"; one in particular at a smaller airline with bases I liked, and new planes coming on property. Sounds a lot like the advice a lot of you folks are giving, right? Now I'm at the very bottom of the FO list on reserve about to get "Comaired". Looking back I wish I chose a regional that had:
1. A base I live in or would like to live in
2. Moderate movement/stability
3. A Decent contract ($ and QOL)
Unfortunately times have changed since 8 years ago when I started this endeavor (pun intended) and the regionals that had the aforementioned qualities will be shrinking or also getting "Comaired". In the end it's simply luck and timing, my friends.

Go to a regional that makes absolutely no sense right now, that way in a couple years it'll be the cream of the crop.

This is unfortunately the most reliable piece of advice anyone has given regarding the regional airlines.

^^^that. I wish this forum had a like button

So, Great Lakes or Air Wisconsin would seem to be the lead contenders?