Any NJS pilot who says they’re waiting for the a220 TR before leaving for overseas is talking ****.
The A220 TR doesn’t make you any more employable in the current market. They’re so desperate for pilots in USA that GA guys from Oz flying pistons are being put in the RHS of 767s, 747s and 777s.
Your 717 experience is more than sufficient. You understand how to operate an old jet without the luxuries of the new fancy stuff. You’ll have no issues transitioning to any other jet and those overseas companies won’t care whether you rock up with a 717 TR or a 717+220 TR. They’ll pay for whatever training they need to provide you with, and they’d rather do it sooner than later.
It’s all talk. Those blokes won’t leave.