I don't think it is realistic to compare Atlas to a crappy regional. I normally call travel, and tell them the flight(s) I want...I would say about 80% of the time they give me that itinerary. When I was at a regional I don't recall them ever buying me a ticket to get to the start of my trip.

I have had problems with travel, and have had to talk to them to get it straightened out...but it was straightened out in the end. I have had travel be very flexible and give me what I want, even though it was "non-standard".

Atlas definitely has room for improvement, but I am 99% sure that a "typical" regional pilot, that is interested in Atlas, will find that Atlas is a big improvement.

God Bless, and namaste