Compass or Mesa?
 

I have offers from both Compass and Mesa. I'm having a really tough time trying to choose which company to go to.

With Mesa I would live in base, plus I already know the United system. I would also be commuting from Ireland about 40% of the time and the bases offer easier commute options to and from Ireland and Europe. However, the money is bad and the contract doesn't look great. There are some nice little perks such as iPads, but they really play very little, if any of a factor in my decision making process.

The pay at Compass is a lot better, but the bases aren't great and I'm much more likely to be on reserve for a longer period. I'd have to commute from my home in Chicago, although both MSP and DTW are easy commutes. However, for my commute from my home in Ireland none of the bases are particularly easy.

The class I've been offered with Mesa (firm offer, not just the mass emailed offer) is for April. My Compass class is before that.

I have around 2,500 hours, lots of previous 121 time. Really not sure which direction to go.

Any thoughts?

You've been around this game along enough and know how hard it's to quantify living in base! One place could pay you more hourly but living in base and having much more flexibly over your schedule and life could leave you much more money on the bank account.

True. I just hear very mixed things about Mesa, and the Compass class is first. I must confess the guaranteed interview at Delta is also very tempting.

Am I correct in assuming that the Mesa class is CRJ?

All I've been told is that it could be either a CRJ or EMB class. Still to be confirmed nearer the date.

I'm surprised they don't have an earlier class for you. Have you expressed interest in starting earlier?

I don't think the bankruptcy Mesa is today's Mesa. It's a positive place to work.

I'm not actually available until early in the Spring. I have some stuff I have to attend to in Ireland first.

I also have an offer from Expressjet, but it sounds like that is not the place to go at the moment?

RVSM, do you work for Mesa? Do you guys have ZEDs with Aer Lingus, BA, Flybe, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM or Lufthansa? All would be a huge help to me with the commute.

I do. Just pulled out the list and we have ZEDs with BA, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa.

Thanks so much, it is of immense help to know that! Certainly makes commuting easier!

When traveling internationally you can list for jumpseat at the gate with delta (even though it will be a seat), free going out of the country, you pay taxes coming back. Delta is the only us carrier that you can do that at. United/aa/ airwyas you have to list before and have a zed. That doesnt help with your choice really i guess but it will save you some money.