As I understand things, the 36 CRJ-900s Mesaba is getting is a one for one replacement of the Avro's. The Avro's had 69 seats which was the previous scope clause limit. The new limit is 76 seats - so that means NW gave up a whopping 7 seats 1900 dude!

Otherwise, NW Airlinks can now fly 90 seventy six seat aircraft until certain ratios are met which would allow them to fly more (ie. more aircraft at mainline).

I agree with that mainline should fly these aircraft, but that is not a reality. Considering this, I think the NW pilots have a good hold on their flying. Compared to other legacys's, NW has a relatively small number of SJ's flying for them and the SJ's that are flying are mainly in the 50 seat range, except of course the new 76 seaters.