I've got a student right now finishing up his Commercial with me who is wanting to make a career at a regional. He's looking at something like Mesa, Skywest, or Lakes as his first and last stop for a 121 career when he gets some hours under his belt. He likes the kind of flying that those regionals do and has told me that he would be more than happy spending the next few decades doing that. He has no aspirations to ever go to a large national or the majors; He just wants to live somewhere in the western 2/3's of the country. I know pay is an issue at some of the regionals, so heres a little background on the guy. He's 3rd generation of a family that owns several thousand acres of land out here in West Texas that has had oil all over it since the early '50's, so money is not really an issue with him. Not your typical wealthy guy either-very down to earth and unpretentious; you'd never know he was as well off as he is. So the questions are: 1.) Is the lifestyle O.K. at a regional once you get some seniority under you? 2.) Which regional would offer the best lifestyle for someone wanting to stay between Texas and the West Coast? 3.) How are "lifers" viewed by peers? 4.) How would stating in an interview that the regional is where you want to retire be viewed? Would they think that's a canned answer and blow you off or think you lack ambition since they know that in better times you'll only spend a few yrs. there before moving on? We went out for a beer last night to talk about his career path and I told him I would post the questions online and try to get some feedback by Monday. Hope this isn't flamebait, but any responses would be appreciated.