GlobeTrekker, I think you are anger is partially misguided. Don't get me wrong, I am no fan of ALPA (I'm ex-Comair). And, in the interest of full disclosure, before coming to my current major, I took a job at another regional in order to stay current. I wasn't there long, but I was there, so one can make the valid statement that I helped perpetuate the problem.

That said, there are two parts to the problem. The unions are one, and your anger and frustration there are justified. The other parts are the companies. Even if ALPA/IPA/APA/IBT/USAPA/SWAPA or any others agreed today to go along with your plan, you have to get the airlines to do it. Given that they already know that pilots are willing--I would even dare say able, based on past behavior--airlines will have no incentive to follow your concept until even the majors can't find pilots, and that day is years away.

In the meantime, even at the regional level, while the pilot shortage is real, there is still a level of pilot re-cycling taking place. Comair guys are still going to other regionals, and pilots from Eagle will start over at regionals for a while as well. It isn't until regional pilots refuse to jump back on the low-pay treadmill that the issue is going to get any traction at all.