As far as I understand, Mesa has a pay scale for Captains based on number of aircraft seats. They have a 50-seat scale, 76-seat scale and 76+ seat scale. The 76+ seat scale is the highest by about $10/hr. They have about 50-60 crj 900s. The newer 900s have 76 seats and the older ones have 79 seats. The newer 900s are on a lower pay scale than the older ones. Same airplane, same airline, different pay rates. The reason for newer 900s having less seats is scope. If Mesa removed three seats from all their older 900s, Pilots would see a 10% loss of pay. The brand E175s pay less than the older 900s because they have 76 seats. The brand new 175s pay the same as their 700s. They also have a 50 seat pay rate, even though they don't operate any 50 seaters under CPAs. For sicktime, vacation, and most other soft pay, Captains receive 50-seat pay rates.