As United’s service at Denver shifts towards 45% regional jets, the Rocky Mountain News rehearses the usual complaints.

While RJs are better than turboprops flying the same route, and better than connections when offering new service, they are unpleasant when increasingly replacing mainline service. Most don’t offer first class or adequate onboard luggage space.

Their smaller size and lower operating costs are an advantage over traditional jets for markets that lack substantial traffic. But their biggest advantage comes from being operated by Express carriers with lower labor costs — the real problem facing the major carriers. In the end, regional jets are just a bandaid.