Regional airlines earn revenue from departure, completion, and block hour fees. The issue isn't raising ticket prices commensurate with staffing needs, most regionals simply don't have that option. Unfortunately, the winning RFP for passenger lift at most majors is dependent upon the contract carrier with the lowest bid.

You can attempt to hold the line all you want, but basic business and economic realities will generally hold that those contract carriers with the highest operating costs (of which labor is a substantial proportion) will lose out on a proportional amount of contract flying awarded. Until this paradigm is substantially altered at the major level, I don't think we'll see compensation substantially improved at regional airlines.

My personal opinion is that contract flying will be significantly reduced, if not eliminated entirely within the next decade.

Just my $0.02.