Great answers, all! Thanks Johnnyb!
I guess my questions are more rhetorical than anything else because I know that there are no definite answers in aviation.
It does sometimes seem daunting and frustrating knowing that I (or "we" = lower time pilots) have no bargaining levarage come salary negotiating time.
It'll all work out in the wash I guess. Network, network, network and make your own luck, I say.
Johnnyb, if you ever make it down to Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater/Orlando/Lakeland area, give he a holler. It'd be great to meet you, bro!
R2F