Compass Updates 2: Revenge of the Sit
10-25-2019 | 01:24 PM
#3171
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 262
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From: Grp Cpt
Considering the opportunities out there I think only the very senior guys are really going to be screwed if Compass actually goes under.
The junior guys, even if they have no more than their ATP, a type rating, and consolidation time have a very modest time investment in Compass and have made themselves far more valuable to any of the other regionals because they are a proven 121 training success. Skywest will be happy to have them, quite likely flying the same routes they have been flying. Or they can go to Horizon and sit on reserve collecting decent pay for NOT flying if that’s their preference.
Any FO with over 900 hours might only have 18 months investment and can now go to any of a number of DEC programs with decent bonuses and a pay raise to offset the fact that they’ll be low man on the seniority for awhile but can at least start acquiring the TPIC promptly.
Junior captains with less than 1000 TPIC can go the DEC route too without any huge loss of pay, albeit with all the problems that reduced seniority and being a DEC brings.
Junior captains with >1000 TPIC but not yet competitive at their ultimate employer of choice can do the same, or try to embellish their credentials with a new type rating at an ACMI or LCC.
It’s the relatively few really senior Captains we have that are going to take the hit, guys that are at the top of the seniority and pay scale that really don’t want to be junior again and that’s going to be more QOL than monetary. Especially some that hung in there after the MSP base was closed. I imagine SUNNY is going to have a few takers.
The junior guys, even if they have no more than their ATP, a type rating, and consolidation time have a very modest time investment in Compass and have made themselves far more valuable to any of the other regionals because they are a proven 121 training success. Skywest will be happy to have them, quite likely flying the same routes they have been flying. Or they can go to Horizon and sit on reserve collecting decent pay for NOT flying if that’s their preference.
Any FO with over 900 hours might only have 18 months investment and can now go to any of a number of DEC programs with decent bonuses and a pay raise to offset the fact that they’ll be low man on the seniority for awhile but can at least start acquiring the TPIC promptly.
Junior captains with less than 1000 TPIC can go the DEC route too without any huge loss of pay, albeit with all the problems that reduced seniority and being a DEC brings.
Junior captains with >1000 TPIC but not yet competitive at their ultimate employer of choice can do the same, or try to embellish their credentials with a new type rating at an ACMI or LCC.
It’s the relatively few really senior Captains we have that are going to take the hit, guys that are at the top of the seniority and pay scale that really don’t want to be junior again and that’s going to be more QOL than monetary. Especially some that hung in there after the MSP base was closed. I imagine SUNNY is going to have a few takers.
The people that will suffer the most are those that are based in SEA and PHX and people that are on reserve (system wide) because if you are currently on reserve or a build up there is no end in sight. That being said, if you are a junior captain on reserve or are looking to upgrade soon its not all bad news because we have an absurd amount of captains leaving over the next few months. (see: PRIA administrator quit)
10-25-2019 | 02:00 PM
#3172
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 161
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IF compass under? WHEN, and when will be starting in January with furloughs.
10-25-2019 | 02:01 PM
#3173
Perennial Reserve
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 14,248
Likes: 257
I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. The senior folks at compass are not sticking around at compass because they plan on retiring at Compass and are "happy" with their schedule, qol, and paycheck. Nor are they just going to go to Sun Country. Chances are they trying to get hired at their dream carriers. Most of the CA line holders will continue to be line holders.
The people that will suffer the most are those that are based in SEA and PHX and people that are on reserve (system wide) because if you are currently on reserve or a build up there is no end in sight. That being said, if you are a junior captain on reserve or are looking to upgrade soon its not all bad news because we have an absurd amount of captains leaving over the next few months. (see: PRIA administrator quit)
The people that will suffer the most are those that are based in SEA and PHX and people that are on reserve (system wide) because if you are currently on reserve or a build up there is no end in sight. That being said, if you are a junior captain on reserve or are looking to upgrade soon its not all bad news because we have an absurd amount of captains leaving over the next few months. (see: PRIA administrator quit)
I agree that shutting down the SEA and PHX bases will hurt people from those domiciles because living in base is always better, but unless Compass does go under, THE SENIOR PEOPLE FROM THOSE BASES WILL STILL BE SENIOR and they will involuntarily (or voluntarily) displace the more junior LAX folks. That is going to cause a seniority based angst, not a geographic based one.
Moreover, the smaller 20 fleet footprint will have to sustain the cost of those displacements while losing economies of scale.
I think that management is working their tails off to find us additional flying because it’s their careers on the line to an even greater extent than ours. If they are unable to find it, I think Compass is just plain going under. And if that happens, my scenario plays out. I will grant you that with all the movement going on at the top the opportunities for those of us who stay - assuming we get additional flying - are little short of great. But unless we get at least another 20 aircraft and the flying to go with them, I don’t see that happening.
Your opinion may differ but that’s mine.
10-25-2019 | 02:26 PM
#3174
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
My assessment is based upon the assumption (and we all know about assumptions) that Compass will be unable to survive as a 20 aircraft fleet, and I really believe that will be the case.
I agree that shutting down the SEA and PHX bases will hurt people from those domiciles because living in base is always better, but unless Compass does go under, THE SENIOR PEOPLE FROM THOSE BASES WILL STILL BE SENIOR and they will involuntarily (or voluntarily) displace the more junior LAX folks. That is going to cause a seniority based angst, not a geographic based one.
Moreover, the smaller 20 fleet footprint will have to sustain the cost of those displacements while losing economies of scale.
I think that management is working their tails off to find us additional flying because it’s their careers on the line to an even greater extent than ours. If they are unable to find it, I think Compass is just plain going under. And if that happens, my scenario plays out. I will grant you that with all the movement going on at the top the opportunities for those of us who stay - assuming we get additional flying - are little short of great. But unless we get at least another 20 aircraft and the flying to go with them, I don’t see that happening.
Your opinion may differ but that’s mine.
I agree that shutting down the SEA and PHX bases will hurt people from those domiciles because living in base is always better, but unless Compass does go under, THE SENIOR PEOPLE FROM THOSE BASES WILL STILL BE SENIOR and they will involuntarily (or voluntarily) displace the more junior LAX folks. That is going to cause a seniority based angst, not a geographic based one.
Moreover, the smaller 20 fleet footprint will have to sustain the cost of those displacements while losing economies of scale.
I think that management is working their tails off to find us additional flying because it’s their careers on the line to an even greater extent than ours. If they are unable to find it, I think Compass is just plain going under. And if that happens, my scenario plays out. I will grant you that with all the movement going on at the top the opportunities for those of us who stay - assuming we get additional flying - are little short of great. But unless we get at least another 20 aircraft and the flying to go with them, I don’t see that happening.
Your opinion may differ but that’s mine.
10-25-2019 | 02:33 PM
#3175
Perennial Reserve
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 14,248
Likes: 257
Ain’t over until it’s over. But as I said, the opportunities out there for anyone with a consolidated type rating or better are generally pretty good. In fact, excellent by historical standards. But if you aren’t willing to wait and watch, give Skywest a call. They’ll be happy to offer you a job.
10-25-2019 | 02:36 PM
#3176
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
Ain’t over until it’s over. But as I said, the opportunities out there for anyone with a consolidated type rating or better are generally pretty good. In fact, excellent by historical standards. But if you aren’t willing to wait and watch, give Skywest a call. They’ll be happy to offer you a job.
10-25-2019 | 02:51 PM
#3177
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
I’d love to see new numbers of who’s staying. I don’t think they could recover even if the announcement came today.
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10-25-2019 | 02:53 PM
#3178
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 666
Likes: 3
From: Lineholder
Then leave. Why are you still here? If the party’s over then go home. This thread has enough people claiming “it’s over”.
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