I don't think the gov has any authority to make airlines pay more, the only way airlines will pay more is if no one shows up at the door. The whole point, of scraping by with entry level flying is to get to a pro job. Who wouldn't bypass all that? You can't blame these mythical 250 hour pilots. There will never be a shortage all airlines have to do is lower the mins. That's why they need to pass this ATP bill, it will be very bad the next couple of years for people affected but in the long run it will be better. It's not like they're missing out on much the first and second year under current regional work rules, except for that shinny jet..