I agree the pay needs to be higher... and maybe with some good work it will get that way. I sorta disagree with your assertation that mainline guys even new hires really want the 70 seaters at the carrier.... AMR had the opportunity and offered the F70 to AA mainline and they could never come to an agreement on wage rates. It was many years before AE got scoped for the 700's.

I really think wishing or hoping that mainlines will start flying E170/175 is wishful thinking .... E190/195's very different animal.

I am all for raising the bar...I think we ALL are.