Compass, Skywest, or ?
 

As a SoCal native I really would love to live in base at a Regional. I am coming up to that magic number and currently flying SIC for a 135 Operator in a Light Jet.

I’ve finally decided to take the 121 path and have started the application process. I do have a few questions tho in choosing the “right” regional.

The top things I’m looking for is:
1. West Coast Base (after class or at least within the first 6 months)
2. Build time quickly (how easy it is to pick up open time to hopefully upgrade sooner)
3. Upgrade times
4. Reserve rules
5. What kind of paystubs should I be expecting ish?
6. Any other insight from the regionals, and if you have any other options I should look into that I may have overlooked.

I know this gets asked a lot and like many of you my end goal is to the Big 3.

Anything helps! Just another typical post of someone getting close to the 121 goal.

Side note: I have done research into both companies but want to get a first hand look. Have looked at many posts but things change daily so recent experience with the two is what I’m looking for.

Compass is much faster to get an upgrade and get out, you are guaranteed a West cost base. The price - less security. Who knows when the contracts will walk out the door. If your comfortable gambling on the future, CP is a good choice.

It will be harder to get a west coast base and upgrade into a west coast base at Skywest. OO is however much more secure.

If your flexible and can gamble, by the time you hold the West at OO at CP you’ll already be gone to a major.

Yeah unless FAT or PSP works for you, compass would be a better choice. Long-term stability might be an issue though.

We're coming up on needing some short term stability lol.. But yeah.. OP- what they said

Are there new shenanigans happening?

Nothing new. No new rumors either.

Decisions on the Delta contract for Compass come up later this year, correct?

If I were in OP’s shoes today I’d head for Compass. That could change tomorrow though...

That is the Universal Regional motto.


Just ask the Comair guys...

Your time in the 121 Regional world should be VERY QUICK by historical industry standards.

An unprecedented retirement wave is occurring across the entire industry and will peak around 2024, with an emphasis on the Big 3.

A reason you WON'T get a call from a Big 3 in the next 5 years will only be because you've got major skeletons. If you've got major skeletons just head to an AA Wholly Owned so that won't become the reason to hold you back from the eventual $300k+ paycheck.

If you've got a clean nose and a college degree, cast aside your obsession with a west coast base. Your job the next 5 years is to get a Job Offer from a Legacy. DO EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you possibly can do to expedite your interview date.

A wise newb pilot (who doesn't need to wait years for an AA WO FLOW cause of skeleton issues) will focus their efforts on getting hired at the regional which will offers:
1. Company Stability for the next 5 years
2. Time Building Opportunities
3. Upgrade Opportunities
4. Extra-Curricular Opportunities inside the airline. (Union Work, LCA, LVP, Sim-Instructor, Safety, Hiring Team, etc)

Check the boxes and move on to your career airline ASAP. Don't be the ignorant regional pilot who sits at home patting themself on the back because they got on with XYZ airline and they got the coveted home based option. Be the dude who got out there, got uncomfortable for a few years and did 100% of everything he could so when he does get to his Major Airline (ahead of all those ignorant "gotta be home based on the west coast or gtfo" pilots) he can then sit back and pat himself on the back, admiring his career seniority potential and watch the hundreds of thousands of dollars flow in to his coffers.

Thank you for all these responses! Stability is definitely in question, but with aviation everything is cyclical. I think for the risk the rewards are more than worth it. Worst case I end up with a ATP, ERJ Type, and 121 time while starting at the bottom of the seniority list again.