Two words: Commuting Sucks
Three words: ACA's Schedules Suck.
Three more words: Reserve Buckets Suck.
Why would you want to leave ACA?
Not that we are utopia, but if you're a J-41 CA already, its just a matter of logging some more PIC time & getting a break somewhere until you're at the majors.
I would leave ACA because of the continuous degradation of quality of Life, Schedules, Contract Abuses, READY RESERVE, domiciles, Payroll issues, Leave of absence denials, very poor crew planning, "crew dependability programs" "what - If" bulletins, company always in crisis mode - no real planning. The company cannot keep going this way. The problem is that ACA would rather produce an inferior product and cut costs by accepting attrition and poor quality of life than to work hard at producing a quality product by retaining quality people. The company hires good people, but how can you expect them to do quality work with poor planning and continual crisis mode.
More importantly - I live in Utah and have a very good life out there and I want it back. Yes I will be at the bottom of the list and subject to reserve and contract abuses and poor schedules as before but at the end of the day I can go to my own private hangar, get in my Stinson, fly into the backcountry of Idaho or Utah and camp out under the stars. Try doing this in Virginia. If it does not work out with SkyWest I will be glad to still work at ACA as there are a lot worse place to work.