You're going to have an absolute **** experience at envoy commuting to reserve (the worst reserve rules in the industry) for years.

With that much experience, I would look elsewhere, possibly even outside the regionals.

I’ll admit my bias - I’m at Compass. I THINK we will be around for at least another couple of years but there are no guarantees at the regional level, as I’m sure you know since this isn’t your first rodeo. We are currently looking at slightly under 18 month upgrades but that’s deceptive because a few more senior FOs have been held back by company minimums because of low ME or RATP TT when they were hired. And yeah, we do (with a few exceptions) seem to be a particularly happy pilot group. But we do have the Delta contract expiring in a little over a year and the AA expiring in 2022. Will they be renewed? I think probably they will, but no guarantees.

Having said that, the Envoy NEAR DEC program might be better for someone with 700 hours already.

https://jobs.envoyair.com/part121/

You’d get a significant bonus and have 300 hours as an FO to get back in the saddle. And then, yeah, you ARE going to be the low man on the totem pole for awhile, not as bad as an actual DEC, but not great. But it probably would give YOU with 700 hours a faster route to the 1000 TPIC that is the nominal passport to a major and - because of that 700 hours - still get you to a major faster than you would at Compass.

From ABQ, I’d imagine the commute to DFW or to PHX would be pretty much a push. And while Compass pilots are a pretty happy bunch, I haven’t found Envoy pilots particularly antisocial or anything. I’d do my best not to stick around for flow though. Better to be at the beginning of the major retirement/hiring wave than the backside.

If you can get (commute) to iah or ord reasonably easy, and you can get an interview, I’d say XJT. I’m basing this on better reserve rules, QOL, and movement going to pick up soon. Still ahead of wave. Other two are a wash with way better options like SKYW too for west coast commute.

Don’t go to Envoy for sure. I have a classmate that left there after a year of perpetual reserve in LGA and ORD. Flew all of 160 hours in a year.

Give Mesa a look. You could choose either PHX or DFW on the CRJ, or IAH on the E175. And you can upgrade when you have the times. No waiting for your seniority to hold it. They actually let you choose which aircraft you want to fly when you sign the CJO. The CRJ bases are PHX, DFW, IAD, and SDF. The Ejet base is IAH.

That’s why I went with Mesa. I live in South Louisiana, so IAH is the closest regional base to me. 5-6 flights a day, and <4 hour drive if necessary. So I got to choose my base, I’ll upgrade when I feel ready, and I’ll still be based in IAH. No EWR or LGA junior CA bull*hit when I upgrade.

Send me a PM if you have any questions.

Actually at CPZ you’ll upgrade when you hit 1000 hours. Our last vacancy was only partially filled because FOs just didn’t have the time. We also do a lot of ABQ flying. When I was LAX based, ABQ is where I spent most of my overnights. If you want to get in and get out, Compass is a good move. If you want long term stability, it’s Envoy. Compass has a guaranteed west coast base whereas you will probably be commuting to LGA or ORD with Envoy.

True but only if he wants to, he won't be forced to upgrade at Compass...

When will we find out the fate of Compass?

I’m not sure but if you wait until the time you find out the fate to join you’ll be late to the party. Risk it for the biscuit.

On the other hand, those not yet on board aren’t really risking all that much. At a minimum you get a free ATP/CTP, a 170/190 type rating, and nine months of flying your butt off before the Delta contract is (or isn’t) renewed. You got a cheaper way of adding a type-rating and 750 hours of TSIC and 121 time to your resume?

What did your last rating and 750 flying hours cost you?

I appreciate all the responses so far. I'm still trying to decide but its been helpful to read others experiences.
Thanks.