"the reason is because there were not enough experienced pilots who would accept those jobs... there are 2,000 pilots alone from AA on the street, and thousands more from countless other "real" airlines... there was NO shortage of experienced qualified pilots, there was a shortage of people willing to work for nothing." -Nicely put Mason.

Until there is one source of pilots controled by pilots the labor side will suffer. Take a look at what it takes to become a union electrician. Step one, get a union card. Step two, go job hunting. One source, one path, and they set their pay rates. What happens when a Journeyman looses his job? He applies for another one at the same pay rate. The contractor still chooses who they hire so the best electricians stay employed.
I'd rather have a pilot's union set the standard of what a 121 pilot should be rather than the government or an airline.