tprangner

Sounds like you just walked into a casino you're hoping to get lucky with the first roll of the dice. Everyone has opinnions, but let me give you some stats to help you with your decision.

The FAA predicts stalling in airline demand for FY 2008. Overall traffic on U.S. carriers is only expected 2.9% for FY08, down from 4.2% projections. Last years projected growth was 3.4%, but the new forecast is now only expected for 0.6%. They are expecting a much stronger FY09 with overall growing 4.7% and domestic to 3.4%. I believe those figures because of the Open Skies Agreement. More people are going to have more options to fly internationally. Well they need to get the major hubs somehow. Although you ultimately will roll the dice or not, but with the odds going against you this year, I would say to wait for atleast 1-2 years more and let the demand increase for international travel first. The stats look much better FY09-FY12.

downinthegroove

Another thing to consider is that NWA and Aloha are silly comparisons. On top of that NWA has done minimal hiring for years so the chances of them furloughing are as small as they can get in this industry.

From the advice I am getting Compass is one of the safest but then again it all depends....

What kinda trouble happens if AE is spun off?

UnlimitedAkro

AE spun off or not, Compass is a good bet. I left Eagle for Compass, I know many other people who have left Eagle for Compass. I know of many people who left other good airlines for Compass. The people who talk about unstability of ALL airlines and put Compass in that same boat obviously do not understand the structure of Compass and why NWA created it in the first place. Do your homework.

downinthegroove

Point being that I do know having a dad at NWA for 24 years now that Compass is a great place to be and where I would love to go. So needless to say I know a bit about the culture....

My point was or is after doing my HOMEWORK:

If AE is spun off their future is questionable and unstable. Compass is solid and not going anywhere. In fact their stability is only increased by the recent hiring history of NWA....

U-I pilot

Going to compass is probably one of the MORE stable things to do right now among the choices...... That being said, it will share the same fate as NWA. It is your overall confidence and impression of NWA that should weigh on your decision. Anyone going to compass is putting their stock in flying red-tails until 65...

drosenst

Thanks for all the advice guys. I am going to go up to the interview and check things out. Being I am only 23, single, and have no kids, I feel as if making sacrifices now will pay off in the long run. While there is some possible risk in going to Compass, I don't think there is a better time in life than now to take it.

UnlimitedAkro, any way I can contact you to talk more about compass?

matlok

There's quite a few of us from Eagle here... 3 in training right now, I know one guy a few weeks out of IOE, and there's others I haven't yet met.

Good luck with the interview, just be yourself, be honest, and stay positive. Attitude is everything!

(grab a couple more posts and shoot us a PM... I think you need 25)

djrogs03

The outlook can be deemed many different ways...personally I see 3 obvious reasons that may affect the outlook on Compass...

1-NWA will not merge with DAL, if it's taken them this long, it's not going to happen, just knowing captains at NWA and they say that there a very long way from getting things even close to negotiable on the seniority merger...with that said nither company is going to merge without ALPA approval from either side

2-The Embraer 175 aircraft is not an efficient airplane, it has the same engines as a CRJ-900 but sucks down alot more fuel. Even people at CAE that have flown both have said so...The CRJ-900 is faster and more efficient...the Embraer is more comfortable and can carry a higher payload... What I'm getting to is I'll be surprised if they decide to get the options on these airplanes...I know there is a scope clause on how many airplanes each regional has, but with gas prices going up it wouldn't surprise me if that changed...who knows compass could end up with some 900 flying...my guess is that eventually Mesaba and Compass will merge, there has already been a website created for it this...

3-Let's just say there was a merger, which would push NWA pilots back to Compass, and some Compass pilots would be furloughed...yea I know there's a 175 PIC type, but then what....Republic (which is a great place, but they don't hire alot)?

All I'm saying is look at the big picture here...there's alot of what if's...just as there are with any regional...it's all about job security

djrogs03

I'm not saying Compass is a bad place to work (I have several friends their) all I'm saying is weigh your options...

Isn't it just a little curious that NWA bought 36 900's and 36 175's both seated at 76...if you don't think competition is involved then your crazy...