Captain Prater certainly did not throw regional airline pilots under the bus in his testimony. He has reminded Congress and the media more than once that every 121 pilot flies through the same weather to the same airports under the same regulations. The problem is that while major airlines go above and beyond the bare minimum set forth by the FAA, in an effort to cut costs and become the cheapest option for a codeshare partner, SOME regional airlines have allowed safety to degrade.

If the general public perceives regional airlines in a negative manner it also puts pressure on their respective codeshares.

I can put my ego aside and accept the fact that I am not as experienced as a mainline pilot. I don't think I'm unsafe to fly with or incapable by any means, but more experience generally makes for a better pilot. And the majority of aeronautical experience in the 121 world lies at mainline carriers, not their regional lift.