No flame Mav', just a history lesson.
When I started in the regionals 20 years ago pilots were paid full salary from day one. Pilots did not have to pay a bond. Pilots were treated with the respect deserving of their sacrifices and accomplishments thus far.
Don't be too quick to applaud management's minuscule moves back towards what is equitable. After 2 decades of taking their most valuable resource for granted, they are simply re-inventing the wheel and calling it their own!
They still however have a long way to go.