There's no reason to not improve QOL and pay at regionals...those goals aren't mutually exclusive.

Still doesn't change the fact (and TD's point) that mainline jobs (on the whole and on average) pay better than regional jobs, and have better QOL.

Short term sacrifice (mainline taking back regional flying, and regionals losing jobs because of it) will come with long-term benefits (more mainline jobs in the future).