Don't underestimate the enormous power of words. It's not by accident that the term "regional" was suddenly applied to the outsourced airlines at the same time the scope-relaxation campaign began.
The term regional started about the same time the RJ was introduced. I can remember being corrected by XJet employees (that used to be called Co Ex). It "regional" and not commuter now. I happen to be working for a commuter at the time and we sold out own tickets, had our own routes and even had a code share on two of the routes.
I totally agree and it begins with using the correct terminology to illuminate the manufactured confusion.
Lets be a little more accurate.
Its now contracted small lift providers.
Does that make you happy winglet?