Bottom line, I think it will help the industry. I think it will keep flying across the nation from being "farmed" out by some 250-700 hour wonder that will work for peanuts. Reduce the number of pilots and you will see wages go up. Simple supply and demand.

If the regionals are forced to pay pilots a decent wage, that will put a huge strain on their bottom dollar business model. Maybe we will see the bigger airlines expand and start to pick up the flying of their regional competition, who rely on poorly paid pilots to meet their financial bottom line. If the big boys start hiring for their pilots to do the RJ flying, we will see better pay, work rules, training, and dare do I say......... safety across the board, as more experienced pilots are in the cockpits.

Regardless of what happens. We need more experience in the cockpits than what is required now. I will not let my family fly on some of the regionals due to the low flight time requirement...... that is just me.
my .02 cents,
Aloha