A point to consider....Why are the RJ at the regional and not at mainline? I've read all of your post and you are all neglecting the big picture, i.e. you are taking everything from a pilot job/pay perspective. Consider this...... It is not whether or not the mainline guy would fly it for x and the rj still be profitable. Rather, it is the total operation. A CRJ can make money at the regional and not make money at a major. Why you ask?
ASA pays a flight attendant $18.00/hr Delta $53.00-ASA mechanic $20.00 Delta mechanic 59.00
ASA Gate agent $9.00 Delta G/A 28.00 ASA ramper $8.00 Delta Ramper $20.00

Get the picture? Of course I'm guessing on a lot the numbers but you get the idea. In addition a regional pilots work rules allow for greater productivity than a mainline guy, again driving down the cost per block hour.

now an opinion,
the arguement seems to be it would be better to as few aircraft as possible at the regionals and as many as possible at the major pressumably because you believe it would be a better job. My answer to this is simply a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush.
Until you have ten years at the regionals and have lived through massive change in the industry. The road to a "major airline job" is paved with pilots who didn't make the big show. And you know what? It had nothing to do with who they were or how good a pilot they were. This is a cyclical industry. My crew lounge is full of guys that would have all gotten great jobs had the winds of fortune blown the other way.

Don't judge a man until you've walked a mile (of the picket line) in his shoes.