I never flew for the regionals. It was just never in the cards for me. I interviewed at Mesa in 2000 and didn't make the cut. So I took the next thing that came along: Amerifright. Did that for 8 months, then went on to fly single pilot air ambulance for four years, then corporate for two and a half. I start at a 'frac next week. Finally.
Of all the jobs I've ever had, air ambulance was the best. Five on, five off schedule, with no overnights, flying brand-new Pilatuses single pilot, decent pay (even better now ... lots of operators start guys in the mid-50K range), and the satisfaction of knowing that most of the people I flew really needed to be flown. For them, it wasn't a luxury, but a necessity.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, there are other routes to take to get there, wherever "there" may be, besides the regionals.
Hang in there.
