It's a regional airline contract... are you really surprised at the pay scales for FOs? It doesn't make it right, but it is what it is. Should it be higher? Of course. Also... if you've been in the business for any amount of time, you should know that pay scales do not define a contract.

Comparing Comair and Mesaba pay - starting pay at XJ is higher. Second year pay jumps significantly at Comair and marginally at Mesaba. As the years go by the scale at Mesaba starts to catch up with Comair and when it tops out is within $2 for FOs. For captains on both planes, Mesaba has consistently higher pay for both fleets. Again... it isn't the pay scales that make a contract. The whole package creates your pay.