The figures you guys are quoting regarding the Alliance pay are way of the mark. For any new FO you are still ahead of any NJS, Virgin Blue and Jetstar pilot as you have not spent one cent your own money to get the job.
Regarding reliability, I think you will find the F100 a lot more reliable than the old 146. Alliance has been operating only 2 for the last few years and they have been able to serve all their mining contracts, plus the adoc charter work with very few break downs.
FKA the second of the US Airways aircraft should join the fleet this week.