The vast majority of regional airline pilots in the U.S do have the required credentials for the majors. However getting that elusive interview unless you are from a special interest, affermative action group or connected through your chums at the fighter wing, seems to be a lottery without rhyme or reason. Having said that if AMR, UAL or DAL could get away with paying $50/hour to fly the 777, they would and in a hearbeat too. The first major that makes a realistic, equitable and workable agreement to ensure career progression for its subsidiary regional aircrew will benefit greatly for at least two reasons. Like it or not the regionals are expanding at a greater rate than the big boys, the RJ`s are creating markets that did not exist a few short years ago. Crewing these aircraft is already becoming a problem, the first regional that offers a clear career path will be more attractive to the dwindling suitably qualified pilot supply, thus ensuring their expansion at the expense of the competition. Secondly despite what we may like to believe, airlines are run by the marketing departments. If there is an agreement in place that satisfies the 777 captain down to the TP f/o, then the deployment of the regional fleet can be done without the current act of congress, so to speak and the need to comply with various scope clauses. This would again give a great advantage over the competition. Having said all that appropriate safeguards need to be in place so that when one does progress to that "job at the major," it is still worth having!.