[rattlsnak]

I went from a 15 year ASE master tech to the right seat on a regional @ 10 years ago.
Seniority, means EVERYTHING..... If I would have started 1 MONTH earlier, I would have upgraded to Captain after 18 months, but instead I stayed as an FO for 7 years before finally upgrading and making an OK living at that point. There are other ways than 121, like corporate, frieght, etc, and everybody you talk to will have a different point of view, but the reality is, if you have the money, the fast track to the regionals is the best/quickest way to build good quality time, and then move on to the fractionals/majors. A lot depends on your age also. Will you be able to fly long enough to enjoy the 'good schedules' of the senior people, or retire flying every Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon for the last 10 years of your career. You see the 25 year old sitting to your left will be there long after you are forced out, and he is senior to you.

Well I could go on and on about several different topics in aviation. Much to much to post here.

What I have learned about aviation over the last ten years is this:

For every pilot that has a great story about how lucky he was about getting hired, or in the right place at the right time, or my Uncle works here, or my parents paid $60K for my flight training, etc... There are 10 pilots whose stories absolutely are horrible. (I havent seen my wife in 10 days/I'm living out of a suitcase in a crashpad/I am on food stamps (seriously)/I wish I could get ONE holiday off this year.. etc..

Now all that being said, It truly is one of the greatest jobs you will ever do.