I believe the (good) regional airlines are smart and will continue to raise pay as necessary to fill seats with competent pilots. The large amount of movement with retirements and (fingers crossed) growth at the majors should help keep QOL decent across the board (reserve will be a 4-5 month affair not 1-2 years; all airlines will be hiring allowing candidates to not need to commute, etc). This increase in salary should serve to both recruit kids into the aviation schools out of high school and have private or prospective pilots in other careers think about making the leap to become an airline pilot. A lot easier to invest a large amount in education and training or leave one's day job when first year earnings potential is $60k with an expectation of earning $100k+ in 3-4 years... a very reasonable salary for the amount of responsibility a regional pilot has.

My hope is that new hire and retention bonuses will be rolled into hourly pay. There was much talk of this at Endeavor and Trans States however I haven't read much lately. Is this still an effort on behalf of the unions or companies? It seems some companies (e.g. Republic, Trans States) are making very insincere statements on earnings potential, rolling things like per diem, health/life insurance into the first year pay rates.