Originally Posted by SonicFlyer

That doesn't solve anything in the short term. Maybe not even the mid-term.
False cause and effect. Neither lowering the entry requirements or extending the retirement age at the current point in time will have any effect on wages. Nearly impossible to get to 1500 in less than two years, and for most it costs well over $100k. The hill between wet commercial and 1500 is too steep to climb for most, especially given the training costs. That's really the crux of the issue. And as such, it does indeed create a high barrier to entry.