You do realize that ASA is run by Skywest CEO's.? unfortunately, ASA (ie skywest, with a union) operates in the eastern market which is much different then where skywest operates. For example if you are from the west say denver area what good regionals are there? Mesa- oh awesome!, horizon- you upgrade at retirement and skywest, so you see you have the ability to still have high minimums where as there are many more east coast carriers. So ASA hires a guy with 600 hours (on average) and a crj course? whats the difference from hiring a guy with 850 hours and some time in type... seriously past 5 or 600 hours what does 400 more hours of steep turns and patterns do for you? It's economic need, If ASA had to cancel flights it would hurt skywest inc. The obvious solution is to raise pay to get more pilots that said forget the regionals and looked elsewhere for jobs. alpa obvious wants to raise wages. Alpa Tried for 5 years after asa's contract expired to raise wages and when skywest bought ASA skywest worked as long as they could to not give them a raise because they make more money that way. Skywest could agree to signifigant raise in the first officer ranks at ASA and there would be no problems finding new guys with high hours. So basically Skywest inc in general is the one that is reducing the barriers to entry at ASA. Trust me i don't think 250 hour guys are ready to be flying airlines but they also have to pass the same interview and make it through training.

Listen I know it sounds like im *****ing at skywest, truth is i respect the company and they stay in the black every quarter. They provde me good job security.