Originally Posted by Brickfire

it's not that they're hiring FO's with different credentials ... they aren't hiring FO's

The regionals currently have more captains than FO's and the situation is progressing. The only hiring is for direct entry captains.

You have lots of options other than regionals. Part 91 and Part 135 jobs are good stepping stones.

The situation with the regional is also not sustainable and will likely lead to one of two outcomes
1) the regionals stabilize and start hiring again
2) the regionals implode and the majors hire people the regionals used to hire

Bottom line - if you want to be a pilot, finish your training, take the jobs you can get, fill the logbook and keep moving forward.