I've seen polls of business passengers wherein the RJ's rank higher in preference than most mainliners.
Some of the reasons listed were:
-shorter lines at counters and check-in
-no middle seats.
-shorter emplaning and deplaning times
-less people at baggage claim.
-hub bypassing
-at smaller markets the RJ's are replacements of either turboprops or mainliners with less frequency. Given the choice, they would rather have the RJ and the frequency.