In this case my issue is the fact that the flight sells out very quick and there are not a heck of a lot of options for returning home. The reduction of available seats is nuts and will drive people to US.

Since I have made many trips to DCA, I can affirm that Co's Sat schedule is pathetic and had made me use US, and I can tell you that 45 minutes in an ERJ is much better than 45 minutes in a US CRJ