Put it in perspective, a 2008 new hire is about 280-320 from the latest awarded upgrade in the bro. The 2011 new hires are right behind the 2008 new hires (no hiring for 3 years). Since the last person hired in June 08 we have hired just over 800 pilots. We are currently losing about 5-10 pilots every 2-3 weeks. Upgrades due to attrition and/or E175 deliveries could speed things up, who knows. We are now increasing classes (or trying to) to about 60 a class/month. In 2011 we were moving about 100/class per month for a few months.

Gaining more EAS flying in the Bro out of Denver and SLC, possibly more if GLA stumbles. Have taken back three BRO from previous leases. The ER7 comes on property this spring/summer. No loss of flying planned this year with any removal of some CR2s. Alaska flying is growing with more CR7 flying and 4 new aircraft arriving from previous leases.

MSP is the most junior base, followed by ORD/IAH. New hires have been getting DEN/ORD out of training.

 

Just curious if you don't mind me asking those of you interviewing with Skywest... What are your quals when getting a call? I have been trying to spark their interest with no luck.

 

There's a guaranteed interview in seniority order, which is more than what Skywest has.

 

Given that almost half the compass list is guaranteed to flow to delta and let's just say an additional 5 - 10% will leave for someplace else like AA or UAL I'd say it's a no brainer. Compass should mean a quick upgrade and therefore a quicker chance at getting hired someplace that pays a meaningful wage.

 

When compared to Compass, Skywest has little to offer. If I had to choose between regionals, I'd take Compass. The crew members at Compass in my opinion are more fun to be around, at least on the JS. I gave a ride to a 00 guy the other week and all he wanted to talk about were his trials and tribulations flying the CRJ-700 (heavy) into SLC with high density altitude. What the hell do I care????

 

Ladies and gentleman, we have a new entrant into the Tool of the Day thread! And I'm not talking about the nerdy skywest FO discussed above.

Anyway...

As a current SkyWest pilot I'd be more inclined to go to Compass right now due to the potential for a quick upgrade. Just keep in mind there is always a danger to chasing upgrades, things do change.

 

How long is reserve running on the CRJ? I just got an email asking if I would rather have that over the EMB. With the hiring, will reserve come down in those junior bases like MSP or ORD?

 

Unless you need turbine SIC time in a hurry, or live a junior jet-only base I'd take the Bro. Same pay first year and much faster seniority progression.

Only advantage to the jet would be a few hundred hours of turbofan/glass time.

 

I have an interview at skywest coming up and I thought they were the best at treating their pilots well over xjt or pinnacle. Are there any other airlines based in the south that have a reputation like compass (nice people, equipment, QOL)? Coming from corporate side of things so really new at all this and wanting to land a bearable job in the right spot! thanks!

 

I have to say I am kinda interested in this as well. I have seen on this site and other forums the simple question of which regional is better without a non cocky response/answer/dig/ball bust.

Clearly any operator who are under 121 but are only rocking turbo props when the same pay and bigger and shinier jets are at the same hub are not ones to go too (unless you really like the hands on effect with turbo props (I could see that)

To me compass stands out because of the fact that if your hired you will not spend any time on a turbo prop ( I personally want to get jetted asap )

This though could also work for Gojets which only has CR700's though I have read some nasty things about them.. Again only what I have read as I simply don't know myself and am looking for information.

I think besides upgrade time, which of course can change at any point, is their a regional which is generally known to be a better QOL airline, Crew Basing, HR, Maintinence etc.

Cheers..