They weren't called regional jets, 'cause there was no such beast back then. They were mainline(DC-9,...)! Then Bombardier (sp?). came along with the small 50 seater, called it a "Regional Jet", and the company's jumped on them, screwed with scope, and said "Hey these are "Regional" jets, we won't pay mainline pay... Embraer jumped on board...
Yada, yadda, yadda.
Seemed to have hit a sore spot.