If you have to start again at a regional (I hope you don't), I would take Compass over Republic right now. Compass is risky because of the potential flowback from NWA in a merger but the reward is bigger than Republic. Quicker upgrade, get typed in training, and the flow through to NWA if you choose. Not the best choice for everyone by any means but something to think about before making a rash decision.
I dissagree, I think your premise is flawed to a large degree. Upgrade is probably as short if not shorter then any other place. Upgrade now is a year at RAH. Plus i wouldn't put my $$ on a wholly owned, too much bad history from all others (ie eagle, comair, XJT, mesaba, peidmont) they got screwed by who ownes them, nothing but empty promises. You even said compass is risky, with that I agree! LOL
secondly, at RAH, the flying is solid with any mergers, meaning under the contract we have with all the flying partners, we would not get affectd by any losses of flying by any merger, if anything, they might give us more on the 70-85 seaters. Plus were getting more 175's this year, around 28. Growth is rampant at RAH, we had massive profits and we had massive increase in traffic block hours, more then double then any other regional the past year.
I came from another 121, and I am very happy here. Its not #1, (but who truly is?) but its a regional and has a respectable contract, and been treated very well.