M80
You're then talking about 1000-3000 hour pilots who've been exposed to busy airspace, poor weather, storms, and in general being the only pilot on board. I can promise you that these pilots, having done the hard time, will also be eager and keen, grateful for the step up and have some understanding and respect for the responsibilities that lie on the shoulders of the guy in the LHS.
Spot on... those are the people I want next to me on a dark and stormy night...with no second officer program in place the regionals should be looking at these guys to fill the right hand seat... but of course they don't want to pay them... because the SLF down the back want to fly for the price of a bus ticket and so the free market kicks in... Only if the FAA/CAA revise their requirements for crew experience and force the airlines to conform will anything get done. The newbees think it's all about flying the plane.. it's not... it's about surviving while flying the plane.