Congratulations on finding your path.
I'm guessing you did a couple of thousand hours on the RJ ( not competitive for the U.S. majors), making you a good candidate for your national carrier. Now making the "big dough"
However, I'm pretty sure that putrid environment got you to where you are now. Right or wrong?
Indeed it did, and I will always be extremely grateful for the chances afforded to me by the US. I got a job at BA with 3,000 hours total time. Not much by US standards, but by no means 'low hours', especially here in Europe.
However, something has to be done about the crippling terms and conditions on offer at the regionals. Hopefully the increasing shortage of qualified and willing candidates will put pay to the worst carriers. It was good to see the Republic pilots turn down the new contract, even though it effectively doubled first year pay.
However, while things are good for pilots lucky enough to be at a Major at the moment, both you and I know that history repeats itself. The US majors hire until they furlough. Although this industry is cyclical the world over, it is even more so in the US. During the boom years things are great, but look at the rates the L-UAL pilots were working under until just a couple of years ago. Senior Captains were making a little over $120 an hour on the A320.
The likes of Smisek (thank God he's gone) have made the industry awful in the US. Not just for pilots, but also for passengers. I was embarrassed to offer the product we had at my United Express carrier, and it wasn't any better at mainline. The industry seems to be one of the few in the US that has deserted one of the best aspects of America; great customer service. The whole industry needs massive revamp, and ALPA protectionism isn't going to do much to save it.
It is no accident that out of the most hated brands in America, United was in the top five, with American not too far behind. At least Delta is making some forward progress, but the Middle East Big Three are breathing down their necks.