A checkride is an extremely scripted event. There are no surprises, and it can be a poor indicator of exactly how proficient a pilot really is. We've all flown with pilots who make us shake our heads and wonder how they got into the seat next to us.

My point though, is that the FAA cannot mandate pay increases. It can, however, mandate tests that are harder and are a better judge of true proficiency. This in turn MAY lead to higher salaries as weaker pilots are weeded out and airlines are forced to pay more to find better qualified individuals.

I doubt it, though. The regionals are are already full of EXCELLENT* pilots who are willing to work for lower wages. It's a sad but true fact of this industry that the "romance" of the job and those who are afflicted by the flying bug will always cause the number of pilot applicants to vastly exceed available pilot positions.

Am I for higher pilot pay? Sure. But I don't this this tragic accident really is directly relevant or lends itself to that discussion.

(*In point of fact, I would argue that any 5 year captain at a regional is at least equal and probably better than the average "major" pilot (assuming he's kept his nose clean). They fly more, into ofttimes more challenging areas, and do it with a fraction of the support structure that the typcial major pilot has. Obsessing over crew rest rules, proper MEL compliance and sign-offs, legal dispatch to destination and alternate weather rules, etc . . . all of this is something a good regional captain takes very seriously, because chances are, his support structure is weak and his company expects HIM to be the one who is constantly calling mx, dispatch, crew tracking to fix things. All with a co-pilot who is good and safe, but inexperienced.)