You regional guys are missing the point. You guys get a fair wage for the minimal training and experience you bring to the job. Regional F/O is an entry level position.
I know plenty of regional pilots with WAY more experience than mainline pilots but are the victims of some really bad career, seniority list timing. Does you're average mainline pilot have more experience? Of course, but don't discount the countless regional pilots either.
And...
$40k is still underpaid. I'm actually on 6th year rj fo pay...and it is still less than 40k, not by much but still less. I find it stupid how all the mainline pilots come on the regional threads and say things like "quit crying, leave of you don't like it". You're not the one having to do these jobs. If you big bad mainline pilots would stop giving away your scope, and flying till 65, we would not be having this conversation.
Ok, we're getting into the Regional vs. Major pilot flame fest. Which burns through a few pages and posts of BS and resolves nothing.
Obviously both of the above quotes are gross stereotypical , overly simplistic misrepresentations of the average regional or major airline pilot.
Bottom line, until there is an incentive to pay more, then airlines won't. The iron law of wages comes to mind and it's no different here.
"Caveat Emptor" We all knew what we were getting into and if you didn't then that's a problem you sorted out quickly.