Ummmm yea, that's what we're all saying in this thread...

Let's pump the brakes here buddy...

First of all, you're representing your pilot group poorly by making such arrogant statements that can be interpreted as nothing more than bush league trash talk. Second, last September it was public knowledge that we were going to expand the LAX operation beyond the shuttle...so nice job putting 2+2 together there. It wasn't even decided whether or not we were going to open the base until a week before the announcement, so we weren't "sitting on it", as you'd say, for more than 5 days.

Third, and I have to preface this by saying I wish absolutely NO ill will on anyone at any other regionals. BUT...you believe we are a laughable regional because we have no assets and no growth. What we do have is better than owning a large number of illiquid assets...an agreement to fly 42 ERJ170's (all of which are owned by Delta) for Delta Air Lines through 2020. What we do not have is a large aging fleet of aircraft with 50 or fewer seats and no place to put them but in the desert. I sincerely hope leadership at these regionals have a solution to this problem beyond just getting more 76 seaters off the factory line at their own expense. I know both Republic and Skywest have won bids for additional flying because they offered to buy the aircraft where other regionals with more competitive offers would not. Between depreciation costs of acquiring new aircraft and sunk costs of aircraft being parked, that's a tall glass of $#!t to feed stock/stakeholders.

As far as no growth...well, why do pilots care at all about growth? Seniority. We have ~550 pilots, roughly 240 of which still have yet to go to Delta. So a 50% increase in seniority within 2 years without growth? I'll take it. Besides, I wouldn't be heartbroken if we don't grow until the flow is done so we can continue to be highly selective of our new hire candidates. We have a fantastic group of pilots and that is due in large part to the efforts of our recruiting department. Not to say we couldn't continue to be highly selective if we grow, but it will at least reduce the chances of hiring a few sour grapes.

All I'm saying is have a little couth, and think before you speak (or type). You never know if / when you might wish you would have put your foot in your mouth or accidentally spilled coffee on your keyboard

Uh ... guy who joined APC in March 2014 told us last September?

HA! Nice catch :D

One you get one look, from one guy, that you think is totally directed at you for flying an E175 in SLC ... I think thats a little self-centered on your part.
I always smile, nod, wave to the Compass Crews at Cafe Rio in Salt Lake.. I see you guys there all the time and have no problem. We are all in this regional mess together.

There is a select few at every airline that are just ridiculous. They're a like a rotten apple and try and spoil the rest of the lot.

Ah yes, I remember that well when Mesaba increased their presence in SLC. I even got flipped off a few times as we taxied by. They want it all. I was in MSP last week and I looked down the C-concourse, I saw Skywest Inc. planes that were once operated by Horizon, Pinnacle, and Comair. Sad really at how greedy pilots are for increased flying. And thus the Regional whipsaw will continue

Are newhires going to other bases aside from LAX?

I don't think the Skywest pilots begged for or really had anything to do with the acquisition of those airplanes. TSA flies old Mesa equipment and I highly doubt they are being underbid by anyone.

New hires are in DTW before they hit the line. No chance of MSP currently with it shrinking to staff LAX.

Contract: Seems pretty cost neutral to me. Took one in the rear on vacation accrual. That's a $491 concession for a first year pilot with the loss of those 6 days. I know there are positives, but the vacation concession really stood out to me.

That -4 number isn't really supposed to be a displacement. It's to prevent back-filling MSP FO (assuming 4 MSP FOs upgrade).

I spend quite a bit of time in msp and there are tons of Skywest pilots there that hardly ever give a friendly gesture when I nod. Usually they have a blank stare on their faces. Same in SLC. It's not self centered to observe guys not nodding or smiling back when I pass them. It's just an observation. Not saying the entire group is that way. Thanks for returning the gesture when smiled at. It's just a friendly thing to do. And yes we are all in this mess together.

I'm sure I'm just confused on this as a new guy, but if LAX is over their FO numbers already (70 now, only 45 initially planned) and MSP is shrinking, where are new hires going? Is it DTW once you hit the line regardless, or can you stay at LAX if you want to be at LAX?

Also, did anyone get picked up for one of the June/July classes? I will probably start when the Fall classes are announced, but just curious if they start classes around a certain time of the month.

Lax is junior. Some new hires got DTW but anyone that wants LAX can get it. I think 2 extra classes were added also in June/ July also.

Can anyone provide some feedback into my chances at Compass without a degree? I'm converting my canadian license to faa Monday and will be putting my app in right away. Just curious if they're pretty hard up on the bachelors degree deal...

I feel the same way, my bro. I must admit that a second year FO pay of $37.10 (effective 01/01/2015) is hot stuff but that vacay pinch hits the homestead.

GPA? Is high GPA really that important?

Yes I have below 3.0 GPA. :(

GPA is important, they wouldn't interview me until I had mine updated. What is yours and where did you go?

Unfortunately, I tried to recommend a friend without a 4 year and what I was told at the time (few months ago) they were pretty hard on that.

I'd say to apply and continuously update your application. Doesn't hurt right?

Wow, thats pretty disappointing. I don't think very highly of requiring a degree at any stage of the game let alone at a regional. :confused:

Thanks for the advice

Snickers, may I ask what kind of experience your friend had?

Pm sent....

Earning a degree requires a large amount of responsibility, skill, and hard work. There is more to being an airline pilot than passing an ATP checkride. A degree should be requisite!

While I agree there is definitely a lot of hard work required (believe me, I know...I'm doing mine online now), I suppose there is a cultural disconnect between where I live (in Canada) and the us. When the talk of degrees come up here, most people laugh and say "you don't need a degree to fly a plane." As such, most people here don't have them.

Not much I can do but keep working as hard as I can!

Compass updates
 

The smile and nod deal might be a cultural difference. I've noticed that people on both coasts are less likely to smile and wave than bumpkins like me from the Midwest or the south. Or sowf. That and who cares. It is nice to treat other humans like humans though.

Compass updates
 

Is compass opening SEA?

That's fine, but the fact is the people who you are competing with for a job most likely have a degree. Employers are free to set whatever requirements they feel is necessary for employment and most airlines in the US will require it.

There are plenty of jobs that you technically don't need a degree to do the job, but the employer requires it, its just not aviation.

In the future it may not be required as the pilot pool dwindles and airlines shed requirements, but they aren't there yet.

No. LAX is continuing to grow to about 70 crews. They have been evaluating a 'Midwest' base like MCI or DFW. Personally, I don't think that until they can find a reason to close DTW there won't be another base.

We're stretched about as thin as we can go right now. We're staying in LGA until 1Q2015, and we're continuing to grow LAX. Another base would just be a bigger problem. But...things change quickly here, and we adapt and overcome.

I'm currently a Mesa FO who is thinking of leaving for Compass (if I were to be hired). At Mesa, I'm at the front of the new hire 'wave' and will likely upgrade fairly quickly with the current schedule if new aircraft, but I'm a lot more concerned about enjoying QOL than upgrading. I've always thought of Compass as the best regional, but I'm not sure about giving up an upgrade opportunity. Granted, things will have to go as planned here at Mesa but, assuming they do, I'm in a good position to get some 121 TPIC.

So, is it worth it? Is Compass like a mini-major that treats it's pilots really well? Will there be movement?

No we are not a "mini major". TSH runs the show and lately have been blatantly violating our contract left and right. Is it a decent regional to work for? In the grand scheme of things, yes. Are quick upgrades on the verge of happening? Yes (most jr upgrade now 2012 hire). Great pilot group? Absolutely. However, IMHO, if you are in a position to get a quick upgrade and TPIC time, why would you give that up? I'm not sure how much better QOL will be for you jumping to another regional and living on first year pay again. Will you be commuting?

Unless you are hired today, you may have already missed out on our big wave of hiring and being able to upgrade in 2 years or less (pure speculation). We have hired 150+ since last summer and they are currently building a pool (no idea how large it is now). Just a few things to think about.

I dont believe in this jargon of my regional is better than your regional blah blah blah (no way in hell any regional should be considered a mini major). Compass is just another regional pure and simple. For all we know, we could be sold/merged with another regional sometime soon. I don't believe there is a safe place to be, which is why I tend to lean towards get in, get your time, and get out. So if you already have a quick upgrade happening, I'd stick with that personally.

What he said.

All I have to say is CA pay :)

Is LAX still a junior base for Compass? If not, about how long to hold it?

Thank you

Still jr. I think it will be jr as long as we have it or open something else. Nothing in the works right now that I know of. I just think LAX will be jr until something like that changes.

Thank you,
Are they still looking for pilots or are the classes pretty much full. Live in SAN. Sounds like it would be an easier commute than what most other operators are offering.

They are still interviewing, not sure what the training plan is for the rest of the year. I know we are backed up on IOE.

Still interviewing into a pool and last I heard quite a few got called out recently for newly planned classes.

Can someone send me a PM with who I can contact about getting a parking pass paid for at an airport out of my base. Thanks

Any more details on new hire classes for the summer? Are they still hiring into a larger pool for the fall?

Contact a chief pilot