I definitely feel there is a gulf between regional pilots and mainline pilots insofar as safety. But I don't think the problem is regulatory I think it's contractual.

The fact is that regional pilots regardless of the training standards of their carrier or their personal level of experience are paid substantially less and work substantially more hours. In many cases the average day in the regionals is a duty day that bumps right up against the max 117 limits. That certainly happens at mainline carriers but it would be a major stretch to say it comes anywhere near the level of frequency it does at the regional level.

The average regional pilot is less rested and more stressed. When the substandard pay causes problems at home that the majority of legacy pilots don't face or face it with less severity less often, its easy to bring that stress to work. Stress, we all agree, lowers cognitive awareness. Those 20 day months, worries ove bills not paid with those awesome 30K salaries, frequent 117 extensions and 14 hour days that are the standard in the regionals most certainly effects the safety bottom line.

The mainline pilot groups simply have better CBA protections that create standards much more restrictive insofar as duty day and days at work per month. Those same CBA rules at regional carriers are pretty much all less restrictive and in many cases the same as the 117 regs. That allows regional airlines mgt. to use the limits as the standard. And with that you get a pilot that is more stressed and more fatigued.

But all that being said its probably not a huge difference because the job is hard on one's body despite livery.