What's so much better at Compass than Mesaba? Both regionals, both owned by DL, both with contracts that need improvement, both stagnant or shrinking. Unfortunately XJ at the moment, is once again getting screwed and Compass is not. Please don't tell me it's the 175, otherwise SJS strikes again.

 

A better pay rate, a better airplane and a better chance to flow.

 

A better chance to flow? IF it starts up again, we'll see if the CP flow numbers are sustainable. Not to mention your 36 month clock starts all over again if you leave for Compass. It already started at Mesaba. Plus, you have to be a Captain and there is obviously no growth at either and nobody moving on, so good luck with a quicker upgrade there.

Better pay? Fine, a few dollars more an hour starting from year 2. Remember, you have to get through year one, after taking that paycut when you leave XJ. Let's not forget pay is more than just hourly wages. And let's also not forget XJ is working under a concessionary contract crammed down our throats in bankruptcy. Just a tiny little fact so many people, including our own post BK folks seem to forget.

Better airplane? BFD. It's an airplane. We do exactly the same job.

Great, good for you if you get a chance to go to Compass if you're furloughed at Mesaba. Good to hear some of our folks are headed over there, our loss, their gain. But let's be absolutely clear... it's just another job at another regional. It's not the holy grail of airlines and it certainly doesn't have a bright, limitless and clear future. I'm not going to get into a "my airline is better than yours" argument. I was just curious why someone at XJ might have CP envy.

 

You asked and I answered. Above everything else don't forget that Mesaba as it looks right now will shed roughly half of the pilot group in the next two years. Compass states it will hire 60 new pilots. Why do you think some pilots at Mesaba want to go to Compass? Is it that difficult of a question to answer? As for the airplane, what do you think the chance Delta will take away some of their planes? Slim to none I say. Would you rather work at a company right now with a bunch of turbo props and 200s or an all 76 seater fleet?

 

A job is a job and if Compass is an option for our furloughed pilots, terrific. I wouldn't go there however, thinking things will be worry free. While they might be hiring, they are not growing. They are capped on their fleet and there is a high probability for a sale. They have virtually no infastructure and face a terrible fate should there be a furlough at DL.

Yes, we are shrinking (again) and are facing a slow downward spiral. Nobody knows what the future holds after our saabs go away. I just don't see how Compass is a viable option except for those XJ pilots who face an imminent furlough. I have known a lot of people who bailed from Mesaba during our troubles in the past. Many went to the flavor of the month and it backfired. There are no guarantees or eternally safe places in this business.

 

Bored,

Dont you worry I am not gonna go to the flavor of the month I am just gonna leave entirely and move on. I only wish and hope all of the furloughed people at mesaba can find greener pastures and either return back soon or be somewhere were you are comfortable. Also jayray while CP is certainly a great place to be while you are furloughed from XJ while awaiting for a recall I would not say its any better than any other regional. In all serious talk here, who really cares what you fly and where you go, we all do the same job with the same crappy pay( we should all be starting out at 60k no matter what airplane you fly) and crappy benefits( should have a pension or a really good self funded retirement and healthcare that is actually somewhat decent). That is all and now back to watching Third Watch and getting nervous for my NY Civil Service Exam next week.
-Farv

 

Farva- why wouldn't you or anyone else want to try to at least ride this rough ride out? You can't always just cut and run when the going gets tough. You'll never get senior anywhere if you aren't comitted. I'm not sure what you were expecting when you came here, but nobody promised you anything and you certainly knew what you were getting into.

 

yup i did know what I was getting into and I knew nobody promised me anything. I am just thinking about my kids, that is all. I love flying and I love working with everybody on the line here at Mesaba. I have to think about my kids and I cannot afford to screw up. I am staying till I get hired by somebody in a particular field or until I get a letter in the mail. I know people before me at mesaba have been through this before and have been furloughed, had a cut in pay, sat ready reserve for 7 years, and I am not saying jump ship cause mesaba is going down the tube. I just have a option to go somewhere else to provide for my family. Some people do not have that option so I am willing to leave to let someone else stay for however long there services are needed. I will give this job my 100% till my last day.
-Farv

 

Farva - in the end you will have to do what is best for you and your family. If it means getting out of the industry, so be it. It's just so disappointing to see people bail so early in their careers after spending so much time and effort and money to get here in the first place.

 

Bored- did you get my PM? If you didnt I will resend it to ya might explain a few things.