I've read every comment in this thread and here's what I think many are missing. The majority of pilots commenting here are arguing for the 1500 hour rule because of safety concerns. That's fine and I understand it completely. I don't think 300 hour pilots should be flying RJ's either.

What I think many are missing and what I have tried to point out is that there is a dollars and cents component to this proposal as well. The 1500 hour rule COULD, and I stress could, artificially hamstring airlines who are looking to expand. I know that's not the environment in which we find ourselves today, but there is going to come a time when airlines begin to expand again.

If the demand for extra flights is there, airlines are not going to want to remain artificially smaller. They are going to want to add flights to meet the demand of travelers. A hard and fast rule COULD prevent and airlines from meeting the demands of their customers. That doesn't mean they should be allowed to hire student pilots who've just soloed, but they should be allowed to hire pilots they determine can pass a checkride and operate the aircraft safely.

As for Mason32's cheap shot at me, let me say this. I graduated with a BA in both finance and economics and I minored in both Spanish and International Business. I learned to fly and instruct in a 141 school at the local airport in my free time, not from some pilot factory.