It's called paying your dues Dan. What, you thought you were going to have it easy from day 1? There have been plenty of people who have been XX for far longer than you have, like those who got hired right before the hiring freeze several years ago. Some didn't pick a job until they hit top pay. And as a T/O, you will be XX longer than you were as a C/R.
And what's the big thing about picking a job anyway? When your fiirst pick, your going to get the garbage that nobody else wants. On top of that, you'll be getting a straight 8 and doing more work than people with 10 an 11 hour jobs.