so is this just a crj 700 with 50 seats basically?

Yes it is.......

10 first class, 20 economy plus, 20 economy. One FA. A self-serve drink and snack station. No galley. Somehow, carryon bags do not need to be checked gateside and placed in the belly of the aircraft - so some improved overhead bin (or luggage) capability.

I think it is a new aircraft based on the CRJ 700 airframe. I don’t think they are retrofitting old 700’s just using the 700 airframe design and revamping the seating and galley configurations

https://www.bombardier.com/en/media/newsList/details.bca-20180206-bombardier-launches-new-innovative-50-seater-aircra.bombardiercom.html

If anyone remembers the CRJ440, those were later converted to CRJ200s by changing the interior layout. The CRJ705s Jazz were recently changed to CRJ900s by changing the interior and some paperwork.

It is pretty clear that they are converting 50 airframes in the announcement. They will be considered new aircraft after the recertification (but they start with a used airframe).

So are the pilots taking a pay cut to fly this thing? You think they’re gonna pay 70-seat rates to fly a 50-seater?

It will be a pay cut......

Or their union could hold firm on the fact that this is a 70 seat airplane operationally speaking and not give up anything on rates. No reason to take a pay cut just cause they pull 20 seats out of your current airplane your flying.

Let’s be real, they’re Teamsters so that’s not going to happen 🤣🤣🤣🤣