I commute on 700s and rarely 200s. Since it's on my company airplanes, I can reserve Jumpseat in advance. As long as the flight is not full and the FAA shows up, I pretty much had zero problem as far as getting a seat. (mechanical and canceled flights due to weather is a different story.) as far as commuting on a 200, if you commute on your airine and have access to dispatch release, see if they have an alternate. Also, try to talk to the crew as soon as you get to the gate. That sometimes helps.