That is a myth created by the codeshare pilots to justify their existence. The mainline pilots would happily fly the RJ's. The only problem was we wanted to keep retirement and benefits. The company didn't and they had a bunch of willing volunteers to limbo under the fence to get the shiny jets flown for pennies compared the mainline.

The guys were all proud to be Jet pilots but they didn't realize there was someone willing to do it for less than them and then another one willing to do it for even greater discount. The cycles is sickening. Put those jets at the mainline where they belong.

L