Same argument could've been made back when we first started flying the E175. I still think if as a pilot group we could've held off on bidding for the plane until pay rates and details like travel bennies were worked out, we would've been better off. The fact that it took over a year to get jump seat access on Delta should tell you everything you need to know about how worried our People department is about taking care of the employees. I swear that some of the Bro pilots didn't have the same travel benefits back in the day, but I can't remember for sure. It seems like there was a Bro base that didn't do flying for a partner and they didn't have flight benefits.

Not all changes will be as easy as flipping the switch to raise first year pay. If they were worried about making things better, they would have already started making some changes. But any of us who say things can be better are told to get out of flying because we hate our life. I have some suggestions but I'd imagine they are like opinions and bums.

Reserve proffering - Takes some of the pain away from commuting to reserve and would make reserve way less painful. But emails asking to sit reserve on your day off is easier to do.
Instead we have reserve Captains that live in SLC but are based in DEN. This CA calls CS and asks if he can fly the morning flight out of SLC to DEN and still be in DEN for his 7:00 reserve shift. NOPE. Because reserves can't switch shifts. Instead they flew a SLC reserve CA out to DEN, had him sit ready, then deadheaded him back to SLC. But tell me again about our efficient use of our resources.

Honestly, just basic QOL issues or not continually trying to weasel out of agreements would probably be a big step. Instead we just say how all regionals suck, but we just don't suck as bad. I don't think SGU has any idea or cares how much more efficient and better things could be.