I don't know if this will dramatically affect safety because accidents happen, even with pilots with 10's of thousands of hours. I'm not paid to figure out the statistics of airline accidents vs pilot flight time.

But what I'm more in support of is the additional barrier to entry in the right seat.

Airlines, specifically regional operators, see no value in your flight time and experience as a pilot. Thus, the carrier will find low time pilots willing to work for nothing. This new requirement, which has to go into effect by August of 2013, right, will add value to a pilots flight experience. This is a great thing! Look at flight attendants, there are very little requirements to become one and they're a dime a dozen.

These new barriers for pilots will sort of make it like becoming a doctor: you go to school, pay your dues while gaining experience during internship and residency programs, become licensed, gain more experience and become board certified, then you make lots of money because theres value for your time and experience that wasn't quickly and easily attained.