Because regardless of the shortage, most airlines will ground planes rather than put sub-par pilots in the RH seat
Define `sub-par'?
Aircraft on Ground do not earn revenue.
I would not be prepared to put money on this. Already many airlines are putting pilots with a bare 250 hours into the RHS - have flown with a few.
And, indeed recall a certain pilot (self) with a bare 265 hours went straight into the RHS.