Isn't that pretty much what Virgin America did? I remember thinking they might as well have been simply regional rates and there were many who refused to apply there for that reason. That said, startup companies have a history of success in getting pilots to go for those wages because 20% of what they are getting now is still a 20% increase and combined with the chances of getting in at the beginning of what they consider could be the next JetBlue could be lucrative in pay and seniority when it shakes out.

If they offer home basing I could see them having success in getting regional pilots to go there hoping for either a quick upgrade or just a better schedule with a company that has more career potential than a regional. While the regionals are having trouble getting pilots that also means that the risks of going to a startup aren't as high since if it fails there are plenty of places to go yet.