on the serious side...Management has likely game planned this out.
What do you think of this possibility? Bring on this new jet and configure it to comply with scope. Result: RASM and PRASM, and other economic metrics are simply ignored in the short term so that management can be in position to make a long term play.
Another words, management is happy to lose money for 3 to 7 years if they can find a way to reconfigure the jets and/or similar jets later on if they can find a way to get around scope and/or kick the can so long they force the pilots to capitulate and give up scope.
I think this CRJ 550 or whatever they are calling it is a long term and not a short term play. Sorta like ISIS has a 2000 year plan, Kirby has a 30 year plan and this is phase one.