Well, I think the upgrading of the RJs to first class is one of the reasons (probably in the top 2 or 3) that I have continued to fly US.
Living in CLT, I have to fly out of RDU or GSO due to the high prices conflicting with my company's budget on travel. Therefore, I end up on a lot of these planes that now have first class. It's a real treat for a 6'4" individual like myself.
Though it's a issue for another thread, CLT is silly with their pricing and has made me seriously consider a status match with another airline since Im having to connect anyway...
$100 is no big deal, but 500-800 dollars is enough to make the decsion different.