Wow, the same jokes over and over are so original!!! ;-)
In reality, it is pretty bad. Not quite 10, but 26 qualified FO's to be factual. That's out of a total of 72 lines system wide. So, 26 of 72 is 36% FO coverage JUST for the lines, with NO additional reserve coverage. There are a few additional FO's in ATP training as we speak, and an additional handful who will meet the 1000 hr 4-year university exemption once that gets sorted out.
As for who would work for 18k a year? The guys who want 1000 PIC within two years. Who would want to sit right seat in an RJ for 30k a year for the next 7 years?
However, the 1500 hour rule has wrecked havoc on Lakes...hiring is gone, upgrades have been suspended. Take away a quick upgrade and you're right, there no longer is an appeal to come to Lakes. What a fun and unpredictable industry we've gotten ourselves into...