It all comes down to the laws of supply and demand, whether or not anyone actually wants to recognize the fact. If regional airline pilots were of such commodity, they would be paid as such. Wages will not be increased dramatically because current contracts will never be able to support such increases.

A regional airline pilot will always make 20-30k a year, at least starting, because there are plenty of people lining up for the job. An oil field truck driver can make 70k a year their first year. Why? Because there aren't enough people to fill the position.

To make money at flying, you have to locate a niche that needs to be filled. I'll make 30k this year just in contract pay from flying a single engine. Supply and demand...