It never really was a worthwhile career. The only reason why pilots came out of the woodwork after the lost decade was because the regionals were offering sign on and retention bonuses, increased their pay to attract more applicants, rotor-transition programs, paying for atp, etc

I doubt we'll see the regionals go back to the recent hiring levels anytime in the next few years. What we will most likely see is whipsawing which leads to closures / mergers of the regionals.....neither which are good for the pilots.