I think you may be missing my point, I'm not suggesting mainline isn't "better" than regional. My concern lies elsewhere, namely: if the only way a regional pilot can have shot at a flowup is if he agrees to give up his seat to a flowdown at 100%, then, given that the odds of mainline furloughing is generally greater than hiring (at least for the next few years), the downside is far greater than the upside. Now, if the mainline MEC were to say that any openings at mainline will go to the regional guys at 100% (and no, I don't necessarily mean Comair, could be Mesaba, Pinnacle, you name it), then you might say that the risk/benefit ratio is somewhat more favorable, but that's not what they're saying and even if they were, I'm not sure I'd believe them.
As it is (at least this is how I perceive it), the mainliners demand certainty on the flowdown side, while offering either a remote "maybe" or nothing at all on the flowup side. And yes, I'm perfectly aware that the flowup (even if there were one) won't benefit me for some time, but a flowdown could put me on the street tomorrow. I just don't want my (or any other regional's) MEC to get duped (again).