I don't think it is going to be much of an issue. It wasn't long ago when most regionals required 1500 hours, a four year degree preferred and an ATP as hiring minimums anyway. Competitive minimums were above 2000 and some previous jet or turbine time. The hiring bubble of the last few years allowed hiring minimums to briefly sink to 250 hours.

Now that the bubble has burst it will be a long time (To never again) before the pilot supply shrinks to a point where airlines need to consider hiring low timers. Even now I read an article that predicted the airlines would have to shrink its capacity by another 7% in 2010. Airlines are still furloughing and in danger of going under.

There is a huge amount of highly experienced pilots walking the street. It could take most of a decade to get to a point where the regionals have to look at pilots without previous airline, turbine or military experience.

Skyhigh