Maybe time for their regional partners to offer better pay. I'd go fly for a regional tomorrow if I wouldn't have to declare bankruptcy to do so. Most mil pilots are in my shoes...after 10+ years on active duty getting paid fairly well, you tend to accrue a house, wife and kids, not necessarily in that order. Can't pay the bills or feed to little people on $25-ish per hour.

If they started at $35-40/hour and second year FO was $60-70 range, they would have no problem attracting people. I could pay the mortgage AND eat too on that pay. Bottom line...I think there are fewer and fewer kids coming in to this industry willing to live out of a car for a few years. And unless they are retired military, most ex-mil or displaced corporate/freight guys aren't willing to take that big of a pay cut to fly for a regional.