Minor point, but you can list anywhere, help desk or ticket desk for DCI flights 2 hours prior to departure. Does not have to be at that gate, but you still have to check in with the agent working the flight when it opens. I’ve added this to my bag of commuting tricks as not all contracted DGS gate agents are very proficient listing jumpseaters in my experience.

As far as competition for an RJ Js, my commute happens to be between two bases for SkyWest. Thankfully it’s mostly mainline but if SkyWest operates the flight it’s a guarantee to not get on between the Js competition and S3B1 priority we get on them. I’m to the point where if SkyWest are my only options for commute (usually around the reduced holiday schedule) I just hop in my car and drive 4.5 hours to base.

Not all RJ commutes are equal in difficulty, some are absolutely worse than others based on factors like weight restrictions and competition with RJ pilots and availability of F/a jumpseat. As far as I’m concerned a mainline commute is night and day different for the better.