Originally Posted by Adlerdriver

I don't care why US airlines don't have to hire 250 hour simulated pilots. I'm just happy they don't. It is about standards. Whatever reason forces other country airlines to min run the pilots they hire doesn't make it a good idea.

You were the one who indicated it should be an option for US carriers as a choice rather than a necessity. Somehow you've managed to convince yourself that if all the flying currently done by regionals was back at the mainline, they would start hiring 250 hour pilots. Bzzzzt. They'd still hire the same types of candidates they hire now. All it would mean for the low time guys is that they would have to go get a job somewhere else until they had the quals.

Uh, yeah a budding airline industry in the 1950-60s is such an accurate comparison to today - I won't hold my breath on that "real" pilot shortage. Plus, ATP mins for future airline hiring (even regionals) seems about right.