This, sadly, has been the trend for the past decade. I believe that it is also the framework for the future. As more and more mainline pilots retire, they shall be replaced by cheaper regional jet labor. The regional jets keep on getting bigger and the scopes will get looser and looser. No doubt the C-Series and CRJ1000 will only further my point.

I wish I could go back in time 20 years to tell a mainline pilot that someday regionals would have 4000+ pilots and fly 90 seat jets. The pilot would no doubt say, "you're totally insane! Regionals just started flying turboprops with pressurized cabins!!!"