I firmly believe to if it weren't for technology, we'd have a significantly higher number of accidents today. Most regional airline pilots are good and take their job seriously, and do the work necessary to become proficient. There are a minority, albeit a growing minority, of people who I think are fair weather seat fillers. This is due to some airlines lowering their hiring standards to find people that will do the job for 21K the first year. I've heard stories of Captains flying with FO's that don't know speeds or limitations, and demonstrate a serious lack of systems knowledge. The danger is we are re-entering a period where it's possible for you to have a week 100hr Captain that upgraded in just over a year, with a week newly hired FO.
Yes everyone takes the checkride, but I know of one guy at my last airline that took the checkride, and a month later was yanked off the trip during a line check for the captain.