There are other threads in other forums from guys who are pondering a career change from <insert career here> into aviation. I'm in the same group, but wanted to ask the wisdom/advice from this group of current Compass pilots and relative new hires. A little background: I'm 47, have had a great (but not completely satisfying) career in engineering and have the vast majority of my TT in a 210 that I've owned since 2003. Family and finances are stable at this point, and I feel that now a good time as any if I am going to make the jump.
I decided to go ahead and submit my app to Compass 3 weeks ago but I haven’t heard back from them. I’d like to think that it’s because I’m just not ripe enough yet. The only other reason I can think of, as disclosed in my app, is that I failed my private check ride in 1998 (had to repeat emergency decent and slip to landing). I would be more worried if that was the reason they haven’t called me.
Based on research in this forum, I put Compass at the top of my list of candidates because (in order of importance to me):
1. Shorter reserve time.
2. All west coast bases = ‘easier’ commute from OAK or SMF.
3. Average total residence there for FO/CA is 3-4 years.
4. Upgrade soon after eligible.
5. All E175s.
6. ‘Higher’ FO pay than most others (although not a huge difference)
7. Some of the guys on the forum make me laugh out loud with their posts.
For the same criteria, Horizon is on the list and so is SkyWest. I am concerned about QOL if I join SkyWest due to DTW/MSP junior basing and the new reserve rules that seem to be getting a lot of complaints on this forum. Reserve time would undoubtedly be longer.
I realize that I need to take things one step at a time. I’m up to 1385 TT, so here’s my planned sequence to become more ripe:
1. 1st class medical. Good health so no issues anticipated. Scheduled for June 18.
2. CAX written. Planned completion by June 15.
3. CAX ASEL training (in my 210).
4. CAX ASEL check ride (in my 210).
5. AMEL training (1.4 hours so far).
6. AMEL/CAX check ride.
7. Build min 25 hours AMEL.
8. Continue to fill in hours to get closer to ~1480 TT, including about 13 hours of night.
I am a freelance engineer so my schedule is VERY flexible, allowing for a great deal of focus of time and effort to become more ripe.
The point of some anxiety is the need to forecast the timing of the ramp down my engineering projects and feather into the FO job training. A CJO in the near future would sure make that planning easier, but I know I have to be patient.
Does my plan seem sound? At what point do you feel I'd be ripe and could have better hope of hearing from Compass? Please feel free to share your candid thoughts here or via PM.
Thanks a bunch!