It is interesting to see the changing attitudes of pilots over the years.
33 years ago when the B747-100 replaced scores of B707's, DC8's CV700/800/900's employment opportunities dried up and some pilots disadvantaged, complained about loss of job or progression opportunity due to the introduction of bigger aircraft.
Now the pendulum has swund around and the 'bigger' aircraft are being replaced by smaller aircraft requiring creating more hours to be flown viz viz and requiring more pilots in employment.
And the complaints are still here.
Who can remember B747's Lax-Sfo-Lax and the L1011's that were ordered by PSA, I can.
I guess when the US financial system goes into meltdown and the price of gold reverts to its long term relationship with the DOW the RJ's might just be the salvation aircraft for the smarter managed carriers.