I believe there have always been lifers at the regionals. My first time in this biz I worked for AE ( Nashville flavour ) and they had acquired Command Airways... there were guys THEN who had many many years with Command / AE and had NO desire or reason in their mind to move to a so called major airline. The fact of the matter is this segment of the industry is here to stay and yes there will be a segment which desires to stay here for the flying career and if along the way they can make a decent wage with good QOL and if that means pushing scope on this end that is their focus. NOT everyone who now flies for a regional/jet airline wants to or can get hired at Legacy carriers or the likes of UPS/FEDEX. I certainly dont hold it against them because their view doesnt jive with others at this level.

Fact of the matter is we have different desires from within our own pilot ranks. BOTH have valid concerns and needs. Personally I think both can be fulfilled.