Well if the last hiring spree was any indication, people with ATP qualifications simply weren't applying to regionals. If that's the new minimum the regionals will be forced to attract the talent any means necessary. Think of all the folks working part 135 that could apply, or folks at other regionals. Just like any other business out there, airlines will have to compete to get qualified folks to work for them. That means bringing pay up to something that people would actually want to work for.

A good example is military guys. Back in the day they'd retire from the military to become airline pilots. Now, nobody in their right mind would go to even a major now after a career in the military. Most go now to the corporate world where pay is in line with their expectations. These are the people that airlines will need and should try to attract to fill those positions. Not 250 hour zero-to-heros. Same goes for folks that flew 135 freight, corporate, or basically any type of professional flying prior to flying 121.