Compass has the lowest costs amongst the DCI carriers (76 seat jet). Compass probably makes Delta 20 million a quarter. I am sure Compass was sold to dismantle the flow. I saw the operating numbers when we were doing proving runs with only 1-2 aircraft on property. At that time the Brazilian pilots employed by Embrear said that Compass would be making money for northwest at any flight with more than 41% of the seats filled (how they determine ticket prices, etc. is above my pay grade). Compass contract is below industry average and will be for many years to come.

I can only assume that Compass was a huge money maker for NWA/Delta as the former NWA MEC/LEC said that compass exsisted because mainline gave that up to the company in order to maintain their retirement.... that statement plus the embraer reps leads me to believe compass is a golden goose for it's size.

I can only surmise that Compass was sold for a used puck bag in order to rid Delta of the flow obligations. My 2 cents