emersonbiguns

I'll be retiring from a federal flying job in August. Would like to work from PHX. I've got 960 hours of 121 time and have all the other PIC requirements, I think.

If I get hired at Compass are they junior displacing qualified FOs to captains?

Is PHX a junior base?

Any news on upcoming changes to the flying for the coming year?

Thanks.

Poser765

We aren't really growing so upgrades are to fill attrition. Right now it's at about 2 years, though that could come down a bit.

PHX is STILL kind of a wild card. New hires, right now, seem to be getting it in training. How long that lasts is anyone's guess.

No new flying that management has let us in on. Only the nebulous "we are working it." I expect status quo to maintain at least until our CPAs expire in a few years.

emersonbiguns

Thanks for the info.

Looks like pretty much anyplace is going to be a pretty big roll of the dice.

FlytheSky

Pretty much everyone at Compass is upgrading in seniority order. The loss of the 6 170s at the beginning of this year ensured that. We're back to upgrading people and the movement has stayed quite strong despite our lack of growth (or shrinkage) now. No new growth that management has told us about, and I personally wouldn't count on it. But by the time August rolls around, who knows.

PHX is junior enough that some new hires are getting it out of training right now, but it's a small base, and who knows how many people we hire will be wanting it as a base.

If you really want to stay in PHX (family, friends, etc), you only have 3 regional airlines to choose from: Skywest, Compass, and Mesa. Friends don't let friends go to Mesa, so that should rule out that option. Skywest's junior PHX captain is a 2011 hire, while Compass is currently upgrading guys at 2-2.5 years into PHX. Obviously, you can get a quicker upgrade at Skywest, but that would result in you being based in DTW or ATL and then commuting or moving. I'd only recommend going to Skywest if you want to stay/live in PHX if you want to spend the rest of your career at a regional.

Obviously all this can change between now and August. But I would say if you're looking to stay in PHX and move on as quickly as possible, come to Compass. At least for now it seems like the best bet.

PDPilot

I'm submitting an application in January. Why is August a significant month?

BobbyLeeSwagger

Haha this!

emersonbiguns

That's my availability date from the original post.

FlytheSky

Yup, it was the date the original post said. If you're thinking about coming to Compass to be PHX based, your best bet is to apply now and start ASAP.

PDPilot

UGH. I re-read the post. In police work, we call that a clue. I should get one. lol.