I think the point was being made against the lowest of the low regionals. I compare Mesa to "decent regionals" as "decent regionals" are seen by majors.

Regional pilots fly 50-76 seat airplanes for lower wages than would've been attanted by a major pay scale.

Mesa pilots fly the same airplanes we do, but for money that is far inferior to what we make. (not to mention work rules).

The choice to fly for mesa is exactly that...a choice...the pilots who signed up, knew exactly what they were getting into.

Above all, the even more simple fact is, is that the legacy carrier pilots are just as much to blame for how the industry has turned, as the regionals. The cards were played by the legacy guys when they refused to fly the RJs, it's that simple.