Even if there was the mythical gigantic pilot shortage, management will find a way around it with out actually paying more to attract pilots from 135, corporate, military, etc. I don't know what it is but I'm sure they are all thinking of something just in case. It could be ab initio, single pilot cockpit, the return of the 250 hour wonders, imported Chinese pilots, or simply cut the number of flights back since they can't staff the airplanes.

Assuming there is a shortage the most realistic thing I see happening is that they will simply park the airplanes they can't staff and create a huge shortage in the supply for tickets. That will drive up ticket prices and fatten all of their wallets, not ours.

The ATP mins at the regionals would help a little but I have a feeling that will die a quiet death in Congress courtesy of the RAA and ATA.