Some feel that the E-jets should be on mainline and that compass shouldnt have been created. Compass was created for furlough protection for northwest mainline and because mainline didn't want to fly the 175 for regional pay (I can't say I blame them, if I was on mainline probably wouldn't want to fly it for that kind of pay either.). That being said, all northwest furloughees got the first chance to be hired by compass. After that they would fill the remaining pilot position from the general public. While the 9 hundo I think was sent to mesaba since the begining. If someone from mainline or compass would like to correct me, please feel free. That is what I heard.

You have the right idea but allow me to add a few words to make it slightly more accurate.

Compass was not created for furlough protection.

Compass was dreamed up by NWA management during bankruptcy. They saw an opportunity to undermine their pilots by farming out yet more flying. The scope was 50 seats until a bankruptcy judge forced the contract to change to allow 72 jets to be contracted out (76 seaters).

36 went to Mesaba
36 went to newly created Compass

As a result of this and seeing how they would have no choice but to have their flying taken away from them, the NWA MEC negotiated the flowback and flowthrough agreements. The rationale was, that if parking a bunch of DC-9s and having E-175s/C-900s take over ever led to a furlough, they might as well ensure that the furloughed junior pilots at least get to have a job at the contract companies that their original flying was given to.

Let me know if that does not make sense and I will change the wording.



Any reasonable NWA pilot would not blame a Compass pilot for "stealing their flying" because it was forced down NWA pilot's throats in bankruptcy.

Any reasonable Compass pilot would understand just why the flowback was negotiated and that the routes were formerly DC-9/A-320.

Management sits back and laughs at the whole thing and a judge is at home heating up his dinner not caring that he just eradicated some high-paying jobs from the state he presides in.

Judges Are Dumb.