*IF* any shortage does materialize, it won't be the major airlines that will have problems recruiting pilots. So I don't think it will be them trying to get relief on anything. It will probably be Cohen and his merry men.
The problem, if it is a problem, is easily fixable anyway. All they have to do is raise pay and benefits to the point where the profession becomes financially attractive again. They should do that a couple of years before their anticipated shortage to give time for their future pilot candidates to train and gain minimum experience requirements, which we all know will be likely well under 1500 hours after they are done with all the loopholes. They wouldn't even have to raise pay that much, either. I bet all they would have to do is get rid of the food stamp wages they pay their first officers. Raise first officer pay to 40K - $50k per year and that would solve their shortage after a couple of years.
Unfortunately, regional airline management can't see 6 inches past their nose, so they will try everything EXCEPT raising salaries, and of course that will likely not work. They will also wait until the very last minute and of course there won't be anyone in the pipeline to take the jobs they are forced to raise salaries for.
But, of course, throw in a terrorist attack, high oil prices, another recession, etc., and the whole pilot shortage thing becomes moot anyway- at least for a few years.