I hear the current terms still include a 'bonus' rather than a fully incorporated salary. So I agree not the most stable of terms. However if they've kept it in play the whole way through the GFC you'd think management must be taking a long term view of it.
Main point I was trying to make is that there is a real valid choice in choosing a regional operater. If the conditions are right, and they are paying ok money then its probably a much better long term lifestyle than getting in with a long haul operator or domestic LCC.