The requirement for an FO to have an ATP prior to working for a 121 air carrier is the best thing that ever happened to our industry. Please stop trying to take that away. There is ONLY one reason management, not the pilot or union, wants to lower that standard, and that is because they want to lower our salaries. NOTHING else.
Did this requirement help? Of course, it did, we have had a much safer environment, did it help with salary, definitely, a pilot pre 2014 was making 12-16$/h living on food stamps.
And management are getting really excited to find themself using this perceived lack of pilots as an excuse to lower that standard.
Do you honestly think any airline would lower their standards to sub 1500 if the government said, "Fine, we will let you lower it to 1000hour if you increase everyones salary by 50% and add a year to year inflation match +5% for the next 50 years..."
Anyone who is training today to be an airline pilot will have plenty of years to work to make up for that extra year or two you had to work as a CFI, banner or pipeline pilot. Some guys come to the regionals in their low 20s, having over 40 years of their career remaining and you are stressing over a few hours. Take a chill, relax and enjoy your life before "Crew Support" gets hold of you...
Any and all pilots should fight for this to stand!!!