The Americans have made a hugely positive step for the profession. By requiring an ATPL they are ensuring that all the expertise won't be in the left hand seat and they have constrained the supply of pilots.
You want to make it to the airlines you need to pay your dues. This will discourage all the "Daddy will buy me an airline job" poseurs. By the time anybody is ready to see a Regional Jet recruiter they are going to be a lot less interested in a 16,000 dollar a year salary with no benefits. T & C's are going to have to go up and the airlines that don't have a reasonable package are not going to get any applicants.
