Helping pilots? Absolutely not. They would never intentionally help pilots. After reading my whole post, that is all that you got out of it? I think most anyone else would see the opposite.

What is the goal of management? To keep low cost pilots flying and get rid of pilots before they become expensive.

What is the goal of the pilots? To get the required qualifications and move up before they top out on the pay scale.

In this case, the two are hoping for the same thing - for pilots not to be at the regionals for an extended period of time. The 12/4 doesn't help pilots, but it is an attempt to prevent stagnation at the regional level. If stagnation is prevented, it does help the pilots, but it was not enacted to help pilots. The 12/4 was designed to make sure regional pilots are not payed too much if stagnation does occur. That does NOT help pilots.