Does that mean the pool is dry now......???

Are they hiring people with 121 experience ??

If people have been interviewing recently and already offered class dates then one can only speculate that the pool is dry. And yes the majority of Compass pilots have 121 experience and I would imagine it will continue that way for some time (no shortage of FOs stuck with no career progression at their respective regionals)

From talking to line instructors the training program is geared towards 121 pilots. I heard last month that they hired a CFI to see how the CFI did. No clue but they used that CFI to see if they hired more if they would have problems

CFIs have been hired in the past. Not many, but its not unprecedented.

My understanding is they strongly prefer current 121 pilots. I would assume the pool is dry but I do not know with any kind of certainty.

This is true. However, I do recall hearing there were quite a few hiccups with that class of CFIs and as a result the 121 experience has become more of a priority for the pilot hiring folks.

What's a "normal" trip like at CPZ?

Its probably because all the good CFIs have been sucked up by other regionals. They should have filled the pool with CFIs that excel. Because you can always hire a 121 FO looking to get out. Too late now I guess.

I disagree with that last part, not many 121 FOs will make a lateral move unless their former airline is in shambles. CP training is really not very CFI friendly, I couldn't imagine going through without previous 121 or Turbine experience.

I do not want to get into a philosophical discussion about this, but "CFI's that excel" and "pilots that will succeed in 121 ops" are not always the same group of people. From experience, as a student pilot, training classmate, and in a former time at another job, union rep.

The amount of 121 experience from a variety of other carriers is one of the reasons why I like working here. A very non-confrontational environment where you can always learn something in conversation with those you are flying with, without any of the SJS-immaturity so prevalent in the industry these days.