And that is why regionals/FFDs should be carved out of RLA.

Sums it up.

And if there was no ord-hkg service how many connecting pax would be on the regional?

Ask silly questions. Get silly answers.

You are aware there are carriers were all pilots get paid the same regardless of airframe. Some even were the largest is multiples in gross weight compared to the smallest... And there are entire pilot groups that make more than others flying larger equipment that generate greater revenue...

All depends on two things: Revenue capacity of the equipment and your leverage.

All the leverage in the world won't get you paid above the ability of your equipment to generate revenue.

Vast revenue generating capacity won't get you paid above market rate to keep it staffed if you have no leverage.

RJ's have relatively little revenue generating capacity and almost no leverage under the whipsaw model. The gains over the last few years were 100% due to market forces (attracting noobs who have options, and trying to retain some lifers who might be on the fence).

It’s not so much the restrictive scope clauses, it’s more that you can’t tell a Delta pilot to take these concessions or we’re giving your flying to AA. Scope plays a part, but not the largest part. You hit it on your last sentence.

You can have 100% of the leverage, and you’re still not going to get more than the plane’s revenue will support.

Bingo
The gains are entirely due to supply-demand.

How is compensation determined for pilots flying equipment that generate no revenue?

Military?

They aren't paid to be pilots, they are paid to be military officers. On exactly the same pay scale as other officers (some of whom in other specialties also get extra hazard/hardship pay). They also pay targeted retention bonuses to try to minimize excess attrition when the airlines are hiring but that only goes goes so far (they cannot offer airline-level pay, and most certainly not to age 65).

Civilian pilots? The airlines set the pace there, corporate employers have to pony up quite a bit to attract and retain folks who would be competitive for major airlines. In fact they are feeling the pain right now. You're going to see the bottom of the 91/135 barrel go away for at least a few years.

I’m gonna go on a limb and say that the little 50 seater can generate just as much revenue per seat mile as the international wide body flights, anyone that disagrees should try to book a one way from let’s say sav-jfk on delta. That flight r/t cost about $600, now go from sav-jfk-ams, that flight cost $900 same days with a bunch more tax. It’s very common for a one leg regional flight to a hub to cost a bunch more than the major charges for connection to a bigger plane. Think of the whole ghost tickets.