It's not a "long term" policy that needs to be made in consideration of "what is fair" to Mesaba pilots . It's a "one time fix" in the event (my imagination) NWA shuts down Compass. The solution has to make good business sense to NWA who is looking for pilots.

Compass pilots have been interviewed, screened and hired.

I believe NWA hired "high time" Compass street Captain pilots so they would have the option to be sent anywhere NWA wanted to use them.

Six months ago they could predict the pilot shortage in Mesaba and at NWA. Management (like it or not) is about keeping options open in order to to continue operations and increase profits.