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Truth about Compass Training

Old 07-18-2019, 01:47 AM
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Exclamation Truth about Compass Training

This is obviously just an opinion, but I want to help the new pilots make a decision on where to go for their first job. Compass is not the carrier for a first time 121 pilot. Their training is fast paced and not designed for pilots without prior 121 or 135 experience. Their training platform is set from the old Northwest Air-link days, which only hired prior 121 or 135 pilots.

Example 1: SYSTEMS with Compass is only 5 days long, and that includes FMS training. Skywest and Mesa Airlines, which have amazing and reasonable time line training programs, offer 11 days of systems on its own. The FMS training is done separately along with FPT's after systems.

Example 2: SIMS at Compass are only set at 7 training sessions, with 2 additonal reserved for your LOFT and CHECK-RIDE. Mesa offers 10 training sessions with 2 reserved for your LOFT and CHECK-RIDE.

Compass also has a 3rd party training facility, leasing space from CAE in MSP. Mesa and Skywest Airlines have their own training facilities. Mesa specifically has a large facility with a CRJ inside for FA training, a uniform shop for pilots, multiple high-level tech classrooms and a cafeteria lunch room fully stocked with real meals. Mesa also just acquired their own ERJ-175 SIM in PHX that is strictly theirs. However, they still do out source SIM time in DFW and St. Louis.

Compass is also up for contract renewal, and when I was flying for them, it was always an unknown if your job is coming to an end in 2020. Made it hard to decide to stay or go. DELTA's contract with Compass is up in 2020 and American's is up 2024. 60% of Compass's flying is Delta, so if that goes, then............ Compass is good for what it is. It's a respected regional that will get your foot in the door, but that does not matter if you can't pass training, and or, don't receive enough training that makes you proficient by the time you get to IOE.

I write this NOT TO START AN ARGUMENT, but to help the younger guys who come from the CFI Cessna world make an informed decision. I have friends having a choice on where to go and wanted to express my opinion on Compass's training program, having gone through it myself. I hope this insight helps. Blue side up!
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Old 07-18-2019, 04:13 AM
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Originally Posted by pilotpilot84 View Post
This is obviously just an opinion, but I want to help the new pilots make a decision on where to go for their first job. Compass is not the carrier for a first......
You just go through the training? Of your total class, how many washed out vs. made it?
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Old 07-18-2019, 06:49 AM
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Default Hmmm. Only one previous post by the OP

And that was 4 months ago, mid-March in the Republic forum indicating he was about to START TRAINING. Apparently he found it stressful. Well, it is. Your first type-rating is ALWAYS stressful no matter where you go through it. It is like drinking from a firehouse, the volume of info being more of an issue than the degree of difficulty. But the training is pretty good and I don't think Compass’s washout rate is any higher than anyone else’s. They wouldn't hire you and spend the money to put you through it if they weren’t pretty confident you could do it successfully but it is intensive and thorough. The lives of 76 pax and two FAs in the back could depend upon you getting it right. It isn’t a gimme, you gotta work for it.
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Old 07-18-2019, 07:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Excargodog View Post
And that was 4 months ago, mid-March in the Republic forum indicating he was about to START TRAINING. Apparently he found it stressful. Well, it is. Your first type-rating is ALWAYS stressful no matter where you go through it. It is like drinking from a firehouse, the volume of info being more of an issue than the degree of difficulty. But the training is pretty good and I don't think Compass’s washout rate is any higher than anyone else’s. They wouldn't hire you and spend the money to put you through it if they weren’t pretty confident you could do it successfully but it is intensive and thorough. The lives of 76 pax and two FAs in the back could depend upon you getting it right. It isn’t a gimme, you gotta work for it.

I totally agree here. Drinking for the fire hose is just a reality at any just about any airline or 135 operator. I have a handful of type ratings in both 121 and 135 so I can pull from my own experience here. Lets get real for a moment, if you cannot keep up with the available training resources made available to you here at CP...I don't want you in my right seat. The folks in the school house give you all of the tools necessary to complete training successfully. If you cant put 2 and 2 together with that, move along. Like ExCargo said, your type rating is ALWAYS going to be stressful.

Another note, who gives a D@mn about the facilities and their amenities, your not moving in and paying rent. Get in, get your training, make solid memories with your classmates and get on the line and start flying......simple as that.

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Old 07-18-2019, 07:21 AM
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Went through CP initial back in 2015. Class of about 15 and I was one of the only prior 121 guys. Not a single person failed an event.
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Old 07-18-2019, 07:27 AM
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You guys are making me feel warm and fuzzy about my upcoming CP interview 👏
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Old 07-18-2019, 07:48 AM
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Wow that post came off as super millennially...yikes.
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Old 07-18-2019, 08:17 AM
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Class of 12 no wash outs. My advice is to go to the schoolhouse on days off/weekends and mess around with the FMS program on the computers or the IPTs if they are free. If you can understand what Speed on elevator vs speed on thrust it will help you with your descent profiles and planning.
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Old 07-18-2019, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by pilotpilot84 View Post
Mesa specifically has a large facility with a CRJ inside for FA training, a uniform shop for pilots, multiple high-level tech classrooms and a cafeteria lunch room fully stocked with real meals.
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Old 07-18-2019, 09:27 AM
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If you can't make it through CP training maybe you shouldn't be a pilot. Or study more. Or spend more time in front of the poster doing flows on your own or with your partner. With all your whining about lack of time, what did you do during your two weeks at home with CBTs?

Is the training perfect? Far from it. But I'm not prior 121 and I made it through just fine. Zero failures or duplications of any kind.

Like anything in life, you get out what you put in.
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