@WHBM
This is still a very raw wound, but for background into how the US regionals operate take a look at this PBS (The US non profit broadcaster) doc:
Flying Cheap | FRONTLINE | PBS As i recall, the young F/O lived in Seattle (with her parents perhaps?) -at least part of the reason being pay. It's not unheard of for an F/O in the US to earn <$20k a year which would present enormous hurdles for someone living in metro New York. Sadly historically some operators chose to disregard this inconvenient truth
hence our Self Certification requirement now..