I was thinking the CRJ-700. I know it's a bit smaller (64 seats in a 2- or 3-class config), but it gets up & flying much quicker than the E170. It usually gets up in the high-3,000's, low-4,000's (takeoff field length) on a hot day at SL. I don't know much about the CR9's takeoff perf. It's thrust:weight ratio is better than the 170, I just assumed that was sufficient. Anyone out there know for sure?

Just seems like CRQ is more of a turboprop market than a jet market. QX received DOT approval for SJC-CRQ a while back, it would probably be a great route for them.